By Matthew Wilson
Donegal’s Sean Patton is enjoying his start to life in English football following his move to Reading FC last year.
The young forward made the transfer to Reading FC back in September, signing a two-year deal at the club from Derry City.
When the news broke to him that The Royals were interested in acquiring him, Patton was full of excitement but he waited until pen was put to paper at the club before celebrating the move.
“When I got the call from the agent saying that Reading wanted to sign me I was buzzing but I was a bit nervous too. I was at Portsmouth the year before and things didn’t happen the way that I thought it would.
“I was waiting until everything was sealed and signed this time until I properly celebrated but I was delighted whenever I got it done.”
The Drumkeen native enjoyed a successful journey through the ranks in Ireland prior to making the switch to Reading FC.
Patton signed for Finn Harps at Under 13 level and played through to the Under 17s before moving to the Brandywell residents in 2022 where he lined out for the club at Under 17, Under 19 and senior level.
In 2023, he went back to the Navenny Street club on loan where he scored on his debut against Kerry FC in a 1-0 victory on home soil.
Current Finn Harps manager Kevin McHugh brought the forward into the club at a young age and he expressed his gratitude to everyone at the Donegal club as well as Derry City for his development in the game.
“All of the boys at Finn Harps were very good to me, obviously Kevin McHugh brought me in and he was there when I went back on loan again and he helped me out.
“He was very good and all of the people at Harps were very good to me, I can’t fault any of them and I can’t fault Derry either.
“Obviously I would’ve liked to play for Derry a bit more when I was there last season but it was no choice of mine. Both of them were great to me to be honest.”
The Donegal man didn’t take long to get off the mark at his new club, netting a late winning goal against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy last October.
It was a relief for the 19-year-old, getting his first goal for the English side early on in his new journey, and it was made more special by his father and uncle being present in the stadium for it.
“When I scored the winner against MK Dons, it was a class feeling. My dad and my uncle were there too and it was lovely.
“It’s always nice to get a goal early on, you don’t want to be chasing it for too long so I was delighted. I’d a good season last season so I’m happy with how it went.”
In January, Patton went to English National League club Aldershot Town on loan where he scored five goals in his first six games.
The loan to John Coleman’s side was planned to last until the end of the season but it was brought to a premature ending as he was swiftly re-called by Reading following an injury sustained by Jack Marriott.
The Donegal native went on to make six league appearances for The Royals in the second half of the season which he stated will stand by him going forward.
“When I went to Aldershot the fans welcomed me in and I scored straight away which helps, you hit the ground running.
“Obviously I thought I’d be at Aldershot until the end of the season then I got the re-call because Jack got injured at Reading. I came back, played a few games and the experience has definitely stood by me now leading into next season.”
The Drumkeen man’s good form since moving across the Irish Sea earned him an Ireland Under 21 call-up back in March.
Patton had previously lined out for the national side at Under 19 level but this was his first time being named in the Under 21 group.
He made his debut for the side in a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the European Championship qualifiers and it was a proud moment for himself and his family.
“I was delighted. My mum was buzzing when I got the ball, she wanted me to play for the Under 21s really bad.
“I made my debut out in Kazakhstan and it was class. Hopefully I can get a few more of them now next season and see where that takes me.”