George Earthy, the midfielder who sharpened his game across two loan spells at Bristol City, has left West Ham United to join Reading on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee, according to BBC Sport.

The deal in brief

The 21-year-old academy graduate has agreed a three-year contract at the SCL Stadium, making him Reading's fifth signing of the summer window. The fee has not been disclosed by either club. Earthy managed five first-team appearances for West Ham before the Royals moved to secure him outright.

What Bristol City gave him

For Bristol City supporters, Earthy will be a familiar name. He arrived at Ashton Gate initially in 2024 and returned for part of last season, accumulating 51 appearances and scoring three goals across his two stints. That body of work in the second tier is precisely what attracted Reading; head coach Leam Richardson was direct about the appeal of signing a player who already understands Championship football at first hand.

"He's technically very good, he's creative and he gives us another real attacking threat," Richardson told the Reading club website. "He wants to get on the ball and make things happen and we're excited to be working with him."

Richardson also pointed to the character fit: "We've already got a group with great character and attitude and George will fit into that really well. He's hungry to play and hungry to improve and to bring a player of his quality here on a permanent basis is really positive for us."

What it means for Bristol City

From a Bristol City perspective, the deal draws a line under a loan relationship that proved useful for all parties while it lasted. The Robins gave Earthy meaningful minutes when West Ham were not ready to use him regularly, and he repaid that faith with consistent contributions in the wide midfield areas. Whether City explored the possibility of a permanent move of their own is not known, but the player has now committed elsewhere, so the club will need to look in different directions if they want to address a similar position.

It is understood Earthy's departure from West Ham is a straightforward sale rather than a loan-to-buy arrangement, which gives Reading full control of the player's development from this point. The three-year length of the contract suggests the Royals see him as a core part of Richardson's plans rather than a short-term option.

The bigger picture

Earthy joins a fifth signing for Reading this summer, which points to a club building with some purpose ahead of what promises to be a competitive Championship campaign. For a player of 21 with 51 second-tier appearances already to his name, a permanent move on a multi-year deal represents a meaningful step forward in his development, and one that will be watched with interest by those at Ashton Gate who saw him grow during his time with the Robins.

The transfer also reflects a broader pattern in the second tier: clubs identifying young academy talent at top-flight clubs whose pathway to first-team football is blocked, and converting proven loan performers into permanent additions. Whether the undisclosed fee represents strong business for West Ham or a bargain for Reading remains a matter of perspective, but the structure of the deal, a straightforward permanent transfer on a long contract, suggests both sides found an agreeable number.

Frequently asked

Why did George Earthy leave West Ham United?
Earthy came through West Ham's academy but made only five first-team appearances for the club. Reading moved to sign him permanently, giving him a clearer path to regular Championship football on a three-year deal.
How many times did George Earthy go on loan to Bristol City?
Earthy joined Bristol City on loan twice: first in 2024 and then for part of the following season. He made 51 appearances for the Robins across both spells, scoring three goals.
How long is George Earthy's contract at Reading?
According to BBC Sport, Earthy has signed a three-year contract at Reading's SCL Stadium after joining from West Ham for an undisclosed fee.