Reading secure loan signing of Manchester City centre-back | OneFootball

Manchester City have finalised the immediate term future of central defensive prospect Finley Burns, following on from his previous spells away from the club.

With the summer window well underway and only a few weeks until the new competitive season, City continue to manage the pathways of their most promising youth talents, ensuring the right balance of first-team exposure and competitive experience elsewhere.

One of the latest examples of that strategy in action is central defensive talent Finley Burns, who now takes the latest step in his professional development after a series of loans across the English Football League.

Burns, who made his senior debut for Manchester City in a Carabao Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers back in September 2021, has been part of the club’s youth structure since joining from Southend United as a 13-year-old in a deal reportedly worth £175,000.

He has since featured regularly in Manchester City’s development squads and earned valuable experience with both Championship and League One sides in recent seasons, and his latest step leads him to Berkshire.

As confirmed by Manchester City in a statement, Finley Burns will be spending the duration of the forthcoming 2025/26 campaign on loan with League One side Reading as they push for a place in the EFL Championship.

Burns’ move back into the English Football League follows a brief spell with Swansea City off the back of a senior debut for Manchester City, before season-long spells at Stevenage Borough and Hull City.

Reading will be hoping Burns’ composure and top-level education at both Manchester City and elsewhere in the last few seasons can strengthen a defensive unit aiming to push themselves into the Championship promotion mix next season.

From City’s perspective, this loan deal serves a dual purpose. Not only does it provide Burns with the opportunity to accumulate regular senior minutes in a competitive environment, but it also allows the club to assess his trajectory before making a longer-term decision.

Should he excel in League One, there may be Championship offers — or even a permanent market — waiting next summer. Burns remains under contract at City until 2027, and should he impress at Reading, further opportunities at a higher level could well materialise.