Callum Harriott is looking forward to taking on his former teammates.
The mercurial winger will be returning to Berkshire on the first weekend in September, as Colchester United play Reading in the Carabao Cup First Round.
Harriott spent three years at the Madejski Stadium but couldn't show the Royals' fans his true potential as he was hampered by injuries during his time there.
He can't wait to go back to play against one of his old clubs, especially as he still has friends that are with Reading.
Speaking after the draw was made, he told the Colchester Gazette: "I’m looking forward to it already! Even the other day, I went out to eat with a few of my friends from my time at Reading."
"I had it in the back of my mind, I guarantee you it’s going to be Reading that we get. I’ve been down at my house in Reading for the past few weeks as well, taking some things back to my other place and sure enough, we get Reading.
"They’re a really good club and it’s obviously a top team in the Championship with the facilities that they have. I made a lot of good friends while I was at the club."
Last year saw the U's beat two Premier League teams before losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Harriott wants another higher league scalp in this season's competition.
"We had some good games in the competition last year and it was a good thing to play against the Premier League teams.
"We felt that we were in a position to beat them, we did very well and we did the club proud.
"The main thing for me is to play well for Colchester and to do my best for my team and hope we can get the win.
"We’ve done it before with these cup runs against some good teams so we’ll be going there looking to get a win."