We have completed our fifth signing of the summer with defender Omar Richards arriving on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich.
Here is everything you need to know about the 24-year-old’s footballing journey so far…
Born in Lewisham in February 1998, Richards began his youth career at Fulham at the age of 10.
After being released by Fulham at U16 level, Richards signed his first professional contract with Reading under academy manager Eamonn Dolan in July 2016. Initially a left-sided forward, he was converted into a left-back.
After impressing in the youth ranks in 2016/17, Richards made his first team debut for Reading under Jaap Stam on the opening day of the 2017/18 season, in a 2-0 defeat to QPR in West London.
The left-back made a total of 16 appearances for Reading that season, signing a new long-term deal with the Royals in November 2017, before scoring his first professional goal at The City Ground against Forest in February 2018.
Richards continued to gain first team experience in 2018/19 as he featured 12 times for Reading. He also registered two assists for their U23s in their 2-2 Premier League 2 play-off semi-final draw against Newcastle United, which eventually culminated in a penalty shootout defeat.
In August 2019, Richards received his first call-up to the England U21 squad, coming off the bench and making his debut in a 2-2 draw with Slovenia two months later.
Making 34 appearances for Reading in 2019/20, Richards then started 38 times in the Championship in 2020/21 as the Royals narrowly missed out on a play-off finish, finishing seventh.
Following the expiration of his contract in Berkshire, German giants Bayern Munich came calling for Richards’ signature on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
The 24-year-old marked his debut for Bayern with an assist in a 12-0 DFB-Pokal win over Bremer SV in August.
Last season, Richards made a total of 17 appearances for Bayern with four of those coming in the Champions League and 12 coming in the Bundesliga as Bayern romped towards their 32nd league title.
He now returns to England to test himself in the Premier League with The Reds.
Welcome to Nottingham, Omar.