Idehen pens new two-year City contract

BRISTOL City defender Duncan Idehen has signed a new two-year deal, writes Richard Forrester.

The centre-back has impressed with the club’s Under-23s after joining in January on an initial short-term six-month contract. He was rewarded with his firstteam debut as a substitute in the 3-1 victory over Derby last month.

Idehen, 19, has also been an unused substitute three times during the campaign, with boss Nigel Pearson preferring him to Zak Vyner and Cam Pring in the matchday squad.

Speaking about his new deal, he said: “I love it here, it’s one of the best cities I’ve been to, which does help with your football because if you’re enjoying yourself off the pitch, it helps you on the pitch. When I first came here I never thought I’d be with the first team within four to six months, so that’s a really amazing achievement for me.”

Idehen joined City following an unsuccessful trial period with Birmingham. Last term he played six times for Grimsby in League Two before being released from his contract by mutual consent.

The youngster produced an assured showing in his 20-minute cameo against the Rams, leading to Pearson admitting he wanted to keep him beyond this season while also detailing the qualities he likes in Idehen.

After the Derby game, Pearson said: “We’ll be keeping him. He’s got physical attributes which are really, really important and he has a good range of passing.

“He was a bit nervous to start with, but he is naturally a very good defender, he’s a good destructive player and he had very simple instructions when he went on and that is to try to be a difficult opponent.

“He was very excited about being on the bench and to make his debut for a lad who has come on quite a bit – good for him.”

Pearson will be hoping fellow defender Timm Klose will be the next in line to commit.

He admitted he was keen on keeping hold of the Swiss veteran with his six-month deal expiring in the summer. The manager said: “I can’t tell you where we’re at, but I think he’s done really well and I’d like to keep him.”