Football / Bristol
All the transfer deadline day news from Rovers and City
Homegrown Bristol City star Joe Bryan was all set to join City’s Championship rivals Aston Villa until Fulham put in an 11th-hour bid to pinch the left-back from under Villa’s noses.
Bryan joined the Robins at the age of eight:
“After 16 years it’s going to be strange not having Joe Bryan at Bristol City,” said City head coach Lee Johnson.
“Like Bobby Reid, Joe is a credit, not only to himself, but to every coach and member of staff who played a part in his development.
“I am sure City fans will be gutted to see him go but they should be happy that he was another one of their own who has come through our Academy and now has the opportunity to play in the Premier League.”
Moving quickly to replace Bryan, City have signed left-back Jay Dasilva on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The three-time FA Youth Cup winner and former England Under-19 captain has over the last two seasons gained experience in League One with Charlton Athletic.
Milan Djuric has left City for Italian Serie B side Salernitana for an undisclosed fee after a one-and-a-half year stay in BS3 where he featured 30 times in City colours and scoring five goals.
Bryan’s first senior goal for City in the 2013/14 season was against Bristol Rovers, who on transfer deadline day signed two new strikers.
Stefan Payne joins Rovers for an undisclosed fee from Shrewsbury Town where he was their leading goalscorer last season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
Alex Jakubiak has been signed on loan for this season from Watford, where he signed his professional contract in 2014 after finishing as top scorer for the Hornets’ Under-18s.
Alex Jakubiak (left) and Stefan Payne (right) both joined Rovers on transfer deadline day – photos courtesy of Bristol Rovers
Rovers manager Darrell Clarke said: “Stefan is a player that adds to our quality in the forward positions and I would like to welcome him to Bristol Rovers F.C.
On Jakubiak, Clarke added: “Alex has got past EFL experience and enjoyed a successful loan spell in Scotland last season. He will add to our competition in the attacking positions and we hope to be able to bring the best out of his game during his spell with us.”
Main photo of Joe Bryan courtesy of JMP
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