City have completed the signing of former Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday defender Adam Reach.
Yes, he is a left back.
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “Adam is fantastic player with an illustrious career in the Championship and a real hunger for more success which matches our ambitions.
“The pursuit of a specialist in this position has been a challenge for us all summer, so we are pleased that in biding our time, we have secured such a good option to complement Ryley and the squad overall. Adam needs no introduction.He will add quality to the group, an attacking option in this position, and has the ability to play in other positions. In the circumstances, it is a really smart move by the club.”
Director of football Jez George added: “In looking at all options to sign a left back this summer, we bought Ryley Towler knowing that he possessed outstanding attributes to play the role as a hybrid left centre back, and so wanted a complementary skillset with our other option for that position. In identifying and securing Adam, we have done that.
“We also value Adam’s versatility in a number of attacking positions as well as his experience, most recently demonstrated by him starting in both League One play-off semi-finals last season. We are delighted to have been able to sign a player of Adam’s calibre on transfer deadline day.”
Adam Reach Career
Throwback to THAT Adam Reach goal against Leeds under the lights in 2018 🚀#swfc | #SHWLEE pic.twitter.com/HUvkLAD9Gu
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 8, 2024
Reach came through the Middlesbrough academy, making his senior debut in 2011 and scoring on his first appearance against Doncaster Rovers. Loan spells at Darlington, Shrewsbury Town, Bradford City and Preston North End followed, giving him a grounding across the divisions before establishing himself at the Riverside.
It was at Sheffield Wednesday where Reach truly made his name. Signed in 2016 for £5 million, he went on to make more than 200 appearances, scoring spectacular goals that twice won him the Championship Goal of the Month. His versatility was a huge asset, filling roles from left wing to central midfield, and in 2018, he was named the Owls’ Player of the Year.
Later spells at West Bromwich Albion and Wycombe Wanderers kept him in the Championship and League One, with his experience now seen as a major boost for City’s squad. At 32, Reach brings proven quality, adaptability, and a reputation for hard work and professionalism. Most recently, he has been turning out for the PFA team, keeping fit pre-season and waiting for a deal to come his way.
Wycombe Spell
✍️ Wycombe Wanderers are delighted to announce the deadline day signing of free agent Adam Reach, who arrives at the club with nearly 400 games of experience at Championship level. pic.twitter.com/JHPJqzrGrr
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 3, 2025
Last season, Reach spent six months with Wycombe Wanderers, so what did his numbers tell us about him?
Although used across the pitch by Wycombe Wanderers, it was at left-back where he saw the bulk of his action in League One last season.
In those outings, he showed consistency in duels, winning around 62% of his defensive battles and producing several standout displays, such as a 100% success rate in four duels against Leyton Orient. He also impressed aerially, winning six of eight duels against Wrexham and proving he can cope physically when pinned deeper. His reading of the game was solid too, regularly clocking multiple interceptions and recoveries, including 15 clearances in that same clash with Wrexham.
Crucially, Reach is not limited to defensive duties. He filled in at right-back, wing-back, attacking midfield and even wide forward, showing the kind of versatility that coaches crave in a long season. His ability to switch roles without fuss was evident in short cameos, slotting in on the right against Huddersfield and Stevenage, while also offering attacking balance when pushed higher.
Discipline was another plus point. Across more than 900 league minutes, Reach picked up just two yellow cards and no reds, a testament to his experience and game management.
Conclusion
Honesty shout – I’m not sure Adam Reach would have been the top left back on our list this summer. Josh Honohan is someone we have pursued, and I understand there have been others, perhaps Taylor Allen, who chose Wycombe at the beginning of the window.
That said, I’m also not saying he is a bad signing. I’ve seen players come here aged 32 (ish) and raise the roof. Remember Neal Eardley? One of the best right-backs we’ve had in recent seasons, and he had far less football in his past than Reach.
As someone who has covered the EFL for almost a decade now, I do still see the name and think of the £5m-rated player smashing it at Wednesday. I have to get out of that frame of mind.
Finally, some will say ‘he’s been available all summer, why have we not moved earlier’. There could be multiple reasons, other targets as I have mentioned. Let’s not forget this is a player with more than 350 Championship appearances to his name – he could have been hanging on for a deal at a club like Oxford or even Sheffield Wednesday himself. That’s how the window works.
I think he’s a solid signing, experienced and capable of doing the role we want for now. My suspicion is our left back hunt will now roll into January, unless Shamrock Rovers blink first later on today.