Reading striker Basil Tuma has joined National League South side Slough Town on loan, linking up with fellow Royals youngster Jacob Borgnis at Arbour Park.
The 20-year-old forward moves into non-league football in search of regular senior minutes, becoming the latest Reading academy product to gain experience outside the EFL this season. Tuma has made three senior appearances for the Royals during the current campaign, registering an assist in the Vertu Trophy against West Ham United Under-21s.
Steady Progress Since Leaving Fulham
Since joining Reading from Fulham’s youth setup in 2021, Tuma has accumulated 418 minutes of senior football across 15 appearances in all competitions. While his first-team opportunities have been limited, the Maltese international has continued to feature regularly at Under-21 level and remains part of Reading’s longer-term development pathway.
Tuma has also made strides at international level, earning his first senior call-up for Malta in 2024. He has since gone on to make eight appearances for the national side, contributing one assist, further underlining his growing experience beyond youth football.
At Slough Town, Tuma will be reunited with Jacob Borgnis, who joined the National League South club on loan in November and has recently extended his stay by a further month. Borgnis has made five appearances in all competitions for the Rebels and continues to gain valuable minutes in the sixth tier.
We are delighted to announce the signing of 20-year-old Basil Tuma on loan from Reading, with the winger joining the Rebels until Saturday 10 January.
Jacob Borgnis’ loan has also been extended, keeping the midfielder at Arbour Park until the same date.
— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) December 16, 2025
The 21-year-old midfielder has featured three times for Reading in the Vertu Trophy this season and marked his senior breakthrough with a goal in a 3-1 win over West Ham United Under-21s, having made his debut against Swindon Town earlier in the competition. A regular captain for Reading’s Under-21s in Premier League 2, Borgnis has also been named on the bench for FA Cup fixtures across the past two seasons.
Both players will now work under former Reading goalkeeper Scott Davies, who is currently in charge at Slough Town, as the club looks to push on in National League South.
Loan Exit Will Aid Development
For Tuma, this loan move feels like a sensible and timely step. With first-team opportunities limited at Reading, regular senior football is essential, and the physical demands of National League South should provide a useful test of his adaptability and resilience. It is often at this level where attacking players either sharpen their edge or stall, making the coming weeks particularly important for his development.
From Reading’s perspective, placing two young players under the guidance of a familiar figure in Scott Davies offers a degree of reassurance. Loans are most effective when there is trust in the environment, and Slough Town provides both competitive football and a supportive setting. If Tuma and Borgnis can establish themselves quickly, this spell could prove a meaningful bridge between academy promise and sustained senior involvement.
