Exeter City transfer has caused Reading FC short-term pain - but everyone is a winner | OneFootball

Jayden Wareham scored against former side Reading at the weekend but, while he got one over them, all parties have won from summer transfer.

It's fair to say Jayden Wareham enjoyed his goal against Reading at the weekend.

The former Royal smashed home in the 11th minute to cancel out Jack Marriott's opener and, despite some good chances for both sides, neither Exeter City nor Reading could find a winner and the shares were spoiled down in Devon.

But before, during and after the game, much of the talk was about Wareham, who joined the Grecians over the summer from Reading for a fee of around £60,000.

With Josh Magennis away on international duty and Sonny Cox injured, there was no doubt that Wareham would start, and that City would need him to step up, and that he did, showing Reading what they were missing in style.

The former Reading man was fired up, he flew into challenges and dropped no fewer than four different celebrations after his goal in front of the travelling Royals who had just been asking him quite loudly what the score was.

First he stood there and shrugged, then he offered a thumbs up before embarking on what looked like a fishing gesture and, finally, some animated pointing towards the home end.

Exeter have high hopes for Wareham and the fact they actually forked out for his services indicates that Gary Caldwell and his staff hope the 22-year-old will lead the line at St James Park for the next few years.

There was some animosity in Wareham's departure from Reading, potentially stoked by his father, who's quite outspoken on social media.

It seemed like the striker was looking for more first-team action and that he's certainly got at Exeter.

He made 55 appearances for Reading between 2023 and 2025, scoring seven goals in the process, with 37 of those games coming in the last campaign.

It's been a bumpy few years for Reading, and they were hoping that he'd stay, especially after showing promise last term.

He's scored three goals in 13 Exeter appearances this term, but it's actually Magennis who tops the Grecians' scoring charts with four in two fewer appearances.

While Reading offered Wareham a contract to remain a Royal, and their fans took the time to give him plenty of stick on Saturday, they've now moved on in the attacking department.

Jack Marriott on fire at Reading

Marriott joined from Wrexham over the summer and has hit the ground running in sensational style.

He's fired six goals in seven appearances, including taking advantage of Johnly Yfeko's gift of a misplaced header at the weekend to open the scoring.

While there is clearly some feeling between the Reading faithful and Wareham that may never subside, both parties have done well for themselves.

Wareham dished out some pain on Saturday and looks to have found the regular first-team football he's been looking for at Exeter.

Reading have signed Marriott, who's in sensational form and is breaking records at his new club.

It was fitting that both scored on Saturday and that the game ended level.