Dylan arrives at Sonning Lane having completed his time at the University of Exeter, where he was part of the Men's 1st XI squad competing in the England Hockey Men's Division One South. Dylan comes from one of the strongest university programmes in the country — an environment that pairs a demanding training week with senior national league hockey every weekend.

The move to Reading represents a step up to Premier Division hockey, but Dylan arrives with the technical quality, composure and defensive understanding to make that transition. He is exactly the kind of player the club is looking to bring in: well coached, ready to establish himself in a competitive senior environment, and with his best hockey still in front of him.

Reading Chairman, Tim Hunt, welcomed the signing: "Dylan comes to us from an excellent programme at Exeter and this is a genuine step up for him — one we're confident he's ready for. We've been clear about wanting to build a squad that can compete now and keep improving, and players of Dylan's profile are central to that. It's pleasing that a player finishing university and weighing up his options has chosen Reading.”

Head of Men's Performance, Todd Williams, added: "Dylan is a defender who reads the game well, is comfortable on the ball and distributes with great range and variety. Those are the qualities that travel when you move up a level. Premier Division hockey will ask more of him in terms of speed and decision-making, but he has the skills and the experience behind him to handle it. He's hungry to push on now university is behind him, and I'm looking forward to working with him through pre-season."

Dylan will link up with his new teammates during pre-season and the whole club looks forward to welcoming him to Sonning Lane.