Reading Loan Kamari Doyle In As Harvey Knibbs Replacement

One goalscoring midfielder out, another in, as K Doyle joins from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Reading have acted quickly to replace Harvey Knibbs, who was sold to Charlton Athletic at the end of last week. Co-CEO Joe Jacobson said on Thursday evening that there was a contingency in place for Knibbs’ departure, and it turns out that contingency was Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kamari Doyle.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has arrived on loan for the full season from the Seagulls. He’s Reading’s ninth addition of the summer, the fourth loanee and the second loan from Brighton specifically (the other being Mark O’Mahony).

The Royals’ interest in Doyle has been public for around a month now. Andy Naylor, Brighton correspondent for The Athletic, reported at the beginning of July that Reading were keen on a move.

Doyle’s also a particularly exciting signing. Despite being a graduate of Southampton’s academy (he played once for the Saints), he was poached by Brighton in the summer of 2024. That preceded a full season on loan at League One level in 2024/25, although it was split between two clubs.

First up, Doyle got four goals and one assist in 24 matches for Exeter City. Then, having been recalled and sent back out on loan to Crawley Town, he racked up a hugely impressive seven goals and four assists in 21 games across the second half of the season.

On the international stage, he’s been capped by England at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 level. Given that his under-20 appearances both came in the season just gone, he could well be in the picture for further youth-level international outings in 2025/26.

So Reading are getting a highly rated, talented, young attacking midfielder who’s already proven that he can perform at League One level. Not only that, but he did excellently for a Crawley Town side that were ultimately relegated, so clearly he’s capable of performing even in tough conditions.

So what else should we know about him?

Well, first and foremost, he’s very productive in the final third. EFL Analytics on Twitter (@Rich_Analysis96) visualised that with this excellent graphic. It highlights that, when penalties are excluded, only two attacking midfielders registered goal contributions more frequently than Doyle did last season in League One.

Crawley boss Rob Elliott was glowing in his review of Doyle, which he gave to The Athletic here.

“When I spoke to him, he was very mature for his age. I told him that if his work rate and out-of-possession stuff was spot-on, his ability is unquestionable. From minute one when he walked in until I left he was different class.

“He scored goals, was top of the stats for physical output, trained hard every day, was never a problem. He was just a joy to be around. He has got an exciting future in the game. He is two-footed, can score goals and control the game. He has got a really good opportunity.

“Eventually, I think he will be able to play a more dynamic midfield role as a number eight, but for now he is best as a number 10. You want him central, because he has a real knack of arriving in the box and he has got a fantastic finish. He comes alive in front of goal. Clubs spend millions for someone who can put the ball in the net.”

So it’ll be interesting to see exactly how Doyle fits into the team. A move out wide seems unlikely, given the youngster’s strength in the middle of the pitch, but there’s currently not really a number 10 spot in Reading’s setup, the midfield of which consists of a deep-lying six (Lewis Wing) and two eights (Charlie Savage and Ben Elliott on Saturday).

Will Noel Hunt make it more of a 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Doyle? That would require someone (presumably Savage, perhaps the more defensively minded Liam Fraser - also of Crawley last season) to slot in alongside Wing.

Alternatively Doyle could simply be put in as an eight - basically a direct replacement for Knibbs. That’s the likelier outcome, but it might take a little bit of time for Doyle to fully get up to speed in this system, with a fair amount of defensive responsibility (as opposed to being given a freer, more advanced role).

Either way, I don’t think Reading could have done a much better job of replacing Knibbs. We’ve got ourselves a talented attacking midfielder who’ll make up for the loss of goals upon Knibbs’ departure. He’s also probably more of a natural midfielder than Knibbs, who had the tendency to go missing in some games last season - perhaps unsurprising given he’s historically been a striker.

What the Royals haven’t been able to replace is Knibbs’ experience and leadership. Admittedly that’s an assumption about Doyle, but given his age, I’d say it’s a reasonable one. Knibbs’ know-how as an attacking player was conspicuous by its absence on Saturday at Lincoln City - a limp defeat - so hopefully Reading can plug this gap with other signings this summer.