LONDON (CMC) – Reggae Boy Garath McCleary has been rewarded for his brilliant form this season with Reading FC, by inking a new three-and-a-half year contract.

The 29-year-old joined the English Championship club from Nottingham Forest four-and-a-half years ago and has emerged as the leading scorer this season for the Royals with eight goals – all coming in the league.

Behind his form, Reading lie fourth in the standings on 46 points and are in firm contention for automatic promotion.

“At this moment in time I am one of the longest serving first team players, so it’s great to commit my future – I’ve always stated that I wanted to stay. My family are happy and I am really enjoying my football, so long may that continue,” said McCleary, who has been capped 24 times by Jamaica.

“It’s great that the club wanted me to stay first and foremost – it’s always nice to feel wanted. I’ve been here for a while now … nearly five years, and at the end of this contract, it’ll be eight. It’s a contract I have wanted to sign for a while.”

The clever forward has already made over 150 appearances for Reading, and has become a pivotal member of the outfit of late under manager Jaap Stam who arrived last June.

He struck a double in a 3-0 win over Wigan last November and has continued to score key goals and make valuable assists – a stat he also leads the club in this season – and believes he is part of a unit with the ability to make waves this season.

“I think this year is the most I’ve played come this point in the five seasons I’ve been here so far. Training has been fantastic, the players have been brilliant this season and everything is going really well,” McCleary said.

“There is a definite togetherness – there are a lot of players that are quite young, and there are a few like myself that are more experienced. There’s a good bond and everyone gets on well.

“There are no cliques in the squad and we’ve had a few team bonding sessions, which have brought the team closer together as well.”

He added: “You’re going to need that – the knowledge that you’ve got people on your side, players that will run a bit more for the man next to them. We’ve got that in abundance in the squad.

“And I’ve got nothing but plaudits for the gaffer (manager) and the way we’re playing this season. He is trying to build a squad to go forward and do well in this league.”

Reading have endured an unflattering last few seasons, finishing 19th in 2015 and 17th the following year, following their relegation from the top flight in 2013.

However, McCleary said Reading’s performance this season was reason for hope.

“Hopefully we can continue to push and try to reach the play-offs,” he pointed out.

“And hopefully we can go on to do well in the Premier League if we can get up. It’s looking up for this season and for the seasons to come.”