Reading FC: Surprise PSG signing exceeded Jaap Stam expectations | OneFootball

Yakou Meite proved to be an even better addition at the Select Car Leasing Stadium than some people, including Jaap Stam, thought.

Then-Reading boss Jaap Stam and director of football Brian Tevreden worked together during the summer of 2016 to enjoy a productive summer transfer window.

With several former loanees returning to their parent clubs after the end of the previous season, Hal Robson-Kanu and Simon Cox being released and Aaron Tshibola and Oliver Norwood securing permanent moves to Aston Villa and Brighton, that allowed Stam and Tevreden to bring in quite a few players in return.

Looking at the summer 2016 window, it was a fairly mixed one for the Royals in hindsight.

Danzell Gravenberch and Sandro Wieser were unable to make much of an impact, with the latter failing to make a single first-team appearance.

Joseph Mendes established himself as a bit of a cult hero, but he didn't have a lasting impact in Berkshire and Callum Harriott was unable to make that much of an impact either, despite enjoying some bright moments in a blue and white shirt.

Joey van den Berg and Roy Beerens did very well during the 2016/17 campaign but didn't enjoy lasting success at the Select Car Leasing Stadium - and Anssi Jaakkola endured a fairly average spell in Berkshire.

Tyler Blackett did fairly well at times and Liam Moore was a great addition at first, though it was a shame his spell at the club didn't end in the best way, with the latter even being forced to retire from professional football prematurely due to injury issues.

John Swift and Yakou Meite proved to be the most successful signings during the summer window, with both arriving on free transfers from Chelsea and PSG.

Swift was a real asset from free-kicks and was one of the Royals' most creative players during his six-year spell at the SCL Stadium. Meite, meanwhile, became a fan favourite during his seven years in Berkshire.

Meite's arrival came out of the blue, with no rumours linking him to a move to the SCL Stadium before he was announced.

Speaking after the Ivorian arrived at the club, he told the club's media team: "He's (Meite) a young player of course, a winger who can play on the left or right side or maybe even in a central role as a striker.

"He has a great left foot, good technique, good physique, pace - all together he is a promising young player.

"He comes from a big team in Europe in Paris Saint-Germain and we are hopeful he can be a good player for us going forward."

Yakou Meite proved to be a wonderful signing for Reading FC

It took him a little while to get up to speed in Berkshire and he did look fairly raw during his first campaign at the club, but his loan spell at French outfit Sochaux during the 2017/18 season was a valuable learning experience for him.

During the 2018/19 campaign, he made a number of valuable contributions, though his most memorable goal came late on at home against Wigan Athletic in a remarkable 3-2 win.

That winner in March 2019 was important for the Royals in their quest to avoid relegation to League One - and he was viewed as a real hero after that.

During the Covid-19 affected 2020/21 season, he was able to put smiles on faces during the pandemic restrictions period, with his four goals at Kenilworth Road helping the club to secure a memorable 5-0 away win at Luton Town.

Unfortunately, that didn't contribute to a promotion push, but it was still an enjoyable afternoon for those who watched the game on their devices.

He was ruled out for much of the 2021/22 campaign with a cruciate ligament injury, but returned earlier than expected against Coventry City in February 2023 and was arguably one of the most threatening players on the pitch, proving to be a real threat down the right-hand side.

His impact may have been limited during his final couple of seasons at the SCL Stadium, but his overall goalscoring record in Berkshire was superb and it's no wonder why he was adored by so many fans.

In his final ever appearance at the SCL Stadium in blue and white, he scored a last-minute equaliser against Wigan to keep the Royals' slim hopes of staying in the second tier alive.

Unfortunately, he was unable to keep them in the division and left after their relegation, but no one held anything against him for moving on.

It's just a shame that he wasn't with the Royals during a more successful period - because he deserved that.