20-YEAR-OLD MIDFIELDER RORY Holden has made the move from Derry City to Bristol City on a two-year deal.
The deal — with a further year option — was confirmed last night just before the deadline, with the Northern Irish youngster signing for an undisclosed fee.
Over the past two years, Holden has made 16 senior appearances for the Candystripes’ first team in the League of Ireland and Europa League.
The Derry native scored his first senior goal for his former club in a 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers in July, and was included in the Northern Ireland U21 squad in May.
📝 #BristolCity complete the signing of youngsters Tyreeq Bakinson and Rory Holden for undisclosed fees.https://t.co/sIgbUuuzlX
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) August 31, 2017
Holden has been over and back to Ashton Gate on trial over the past few weeks, and has featured in a friendly game with the U23s and at the club’s open training session this week.
“I’m just happy now to get it over the line,” he told the Bristol City official website.
🎥 Rory Holden discusses his transfer deadline switch to #BristolCity.
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) August 31, 2017
Watch here for free 👉 https://t.co/xXXD7DqADT pic.twitter.com/q5GF7aAwys
“The experience of playing in Europe will help me here drastically. I think it’s a step up from Derry City. Bristol City is a massive club with a great fanbase. I would just think that it’s only going to further my career.
“I would like to cement my place firstly in the U23s and then hopefully over time, show Lee [Johnson] and all our coaches that I am good enough to play for the first team.
“Here’s hoping in the future that I will break in.”
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