Yann Kermorgant reverses retirement decision by signing new Reading deal

Yann Kermorgant has backtracked on his retirement claims by signing a new deal at Reading.

The striker announced at the end of last season that the 2017-18 campaign would be his last in professional football.

However, the 35-year-old, who scored 19 goals last season, has decided to extend his stay with the Royals until the summer of 2019.

Reading manager Jaap Stam said: "Yann was a very important player for us last season, not only in the goals that he scored but also as a person with the right mentality and the right character.

"He has a massive influence within the squad in how he helped pushed other players to progress and lead by example with his workrate out on the pitch and in demonstrating exactly what it takes to get results together as a team.

"Unfortunately he picked up the injury in pre-season so he has been out of action for the last few months, but in what he showed last season he deserved this new deal and everyone is happy he has signed up to stay with us for another year."

Kermorgant has made just two substitute appearances this season.