WARRIORS midfielder Andy Rinomhota has put himself firmly back in the frame for selection for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Morocco this December after dramatically rejoining his boyhood club, Reading, on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old had been without a club for approximately five months since his departure from Cardiff City, a period that saw him lose his spot in the Warriors squad.
Having been unattached, Rinomhota missed the team’s final World Cup qualifiers and was also omitted from the squad playing friendly matches against Algeria and Qatar this week as the team intensifies preparations for the December tournament.
There were genuine fears that Rinomhota, a vital cog in the Warriors engine room prior to being unattached, could miss the plane to Morocco due to his lack of a club.
However, he has now found a new home and, crucially, a path back to international contention under new Warriors coach Marian Marinica after joining Reading on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The free transfer comes after Rinomhota left Cardiff City at the end of his contract in June.
Despite being linked with a move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, the midfielder opted to return to the club where he graduated through the academy.
League One Reading confirmed the signing in a statement.
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“Reading Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Andy Rinomhota on a deal until the end of the season,” the club said.
“A player who needs no introduction to Royals supporters, the 28-year-old spent seven years with the club between 2015 and 2022, making 139 appearances and scoring four goals.”
Reading head coach Leam Richardson expressed his delight following the transfer.
“I’ve worked with Andy before and know exactly what he’ll bring to the squad — energy, honesty and a real desire to win,” he said.
“He’s a great professional who knows this club and what it means to represent Reading.
“I’m delighted to have him back and I’m sure the fans will be too.”
Since the move was a free transfer, Rinomhota has been registered outside the official transfer window and could be available to make his second debut for Reading against his former side, Rotherham United, on November 22.
With the clock ticking towards the Afcon start, Rinomhota now has a critical window between now and December to convince Marinica that his match fitness and form are sharp enough to earn a spot in the Warriors squad travelling to Morocco.
Rinomhota was delighted to be back as a Royal with his former coach in charge.
“It’s funny how things turn out,” Andy told RoyalsTV.
“A past club of mine and of the gaffer’s, so it will definitely be an interesting one and I will see more familiar faces there too.
“I can’t wait. The fans were really good to me in all my time here. It’s always a great atmosphere at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, so I can’t wait to step back on the pitch and put the shirt on again.”
Speaking more broadly on his return, ending his four-month spell without a club after his exit from Cardiff City, Rinomhota said: “It feels very good to be back. A lot of nostalgia, even just being back around the training ground and seeing familiar faces, but I’ve been here throughout the last week, and it’s just felt really good.
“Training has been good. Obviously, the manager came in, and I had worked with him before, so I was used to how he is with training. Being back at these top facilities has been good.
“I have been out of football for the past four months, so I was really eager to get back into it. When I heard that the Reading deal was about, I thought it suited me and would be something I definitely wanted to be involved in.
“Looking at the squad, and how things are, everyone is looking to move in the right direction and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
He added: “There is a really good energy around the place. Since the new manager has come in, I think the lads have really bought into his philosophy straight away and I think you saw that against Stevenage.
“It was a good result and now everyone is just looking to build on the back of that and get a good result and get going up the table.”
Zimbabwe have been placed in a tough Afcon group where they are set to face continental giants Egypt, along with South Africa and Angola.
Rinomhota’s experience and energy could prove invaluable against such stiff competition.
