Midfielder King signs for the Robins

NIGEL Pearson has secured his second signing of the summer at Bristol City with the arrival of Andy King on a free transfer, with the experienced midfielder signing a 12-month contract with the option of a further year.

King, pictured, has been training with the Robins for the past few weeks following his release by Belgian side OH Leuven and joins former Leicester City teammate Matty James in BS3.

The 32-year-old Wales international is a vastly experienced professional, having made 414 career appearances and was most recently in the Championship with Huddersfield across the 2019/20 season.

Although raised in Berkshire, the move to City is something of a homecoming for King having grown up in a fanatical Robins supporting family.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here, I can’t wait to get stared. The hard work has started already but it’s been good, I’ve loved it,” King said.

“As soon as I saw Nigel had the job, I wanted to call him. My family are all Bristol City supporters, I grew up a supporter and I have memories watching play-off finals, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final and going to games, so as soon as I saw the manager come here, I thought I’d love to play for him again.

“We had great success in the past, we know about each other,

so I thought it would be the perfect fit and hopefully we can do the same again this season.”

King was a regular under Pearson during his two spells at Leicester, with the midfielder first breaking into the first-team through the academy in 2008 and then, during the manager’s second stint from 2011-2015.

King’s arrival follows the renewals of Andi Weimann’s contract, re-signing of Nathan Baker and Matty James joining.

Meanwhile, City coach Paul Simpson has temporarily stepped down from his role due to health reasons, the club has announced.

Simpson, 54, who joined City as assistant head coach under former manager Dean Holden in August 2020, will undergo treatment for kidney cancer.