Wealdstone have announced the signing of Jake Sheppard following his release from Championship side Reading.

The 20-year-old defender greatly impressed last season whilst on loan from the Royals with consistent displays and the versatile player has now linked up permanently with the Stones.

The full-back made 11 appearances for the Stones at the back end of last term and found the net once.

Sheppard also played five games for National League outfit Guiseley at the beginning of last season and also made 10 appearances for Reading under-23s.

A speedy, powerful player, Jake represented Reading’s Academy sides and the young defender has also represented his country, Scotland, at youth level.

He was initially part of the Scottish contingent that made the UEFA under-17s Championship semi-finals in May 2014 and went on to play for the under-21s North of the border.

Sheppard previously spent time at Dagenham and Redbridge in 2016/17 where he scored twice in ten appearances in the National League.

Also this week Wealdstone FC won the Vanarama National League South Programme of the year 2017/18.

The prestigious award was made at the National League Annual General Meeting over the weekend and is a further testament to the fantastic work put in throughout the season by the ‘Stones programme team week in and week out.

The club statement said: “Well done to the whole programme team and all the contributors for another fantastic production year.”