Switch all about getting game-time, says Cundy
ROBBIE Cundy has revealed that the opportunity to play regular first-team football was the deciding factor in turning down Bristol City’s offer of a contract and switching to Barnsley.
The centre-back completed his move to the Sky Bet League One side on Wednesday, joining on a free transfer after penning a two-year contract at Oakwell.
City had a contract offer on the table for Cundy before the end of last season after he eventually forced his way into the side in the absence of Tomas Kalas. He made ten starts in the
Championship after having to wait three years to make his full debut.
With City manager Nigel Pearson bolstering his backline with the arrival of Kal Naismith, Timm Klose signing his contract, Rob Atkinson’s end of season form and the expected return of Kalas from injury, there is healthy competition for a spot in defence next season – and it is understood that Pearson wanted at least one more central defender even if Cundy had signed his contract.
Cundy confirmed his reason for moving came down to first-team reassurances, indicating it was not something Pearson could guarantee.
Admitting it was a move that had been on the cards for several weeks,
Cundy told Barnsley’s official website: “It had been in the pipeline for a while. It’s about getting game-time for me now, at my age, so hopefully I get that and we can get this club back to where it belongs, which is the Championship.
“Personally, it’s to just play as much as I can. Consistency in football is key if you want to keep your levels high, so for me it’s just playing time.
“Obviously I played Barnsley when I was at Bristol City. The stadium, the facilities are lovely, I’ve played here at Oakwell before and when I spoke to the CEO he sold the club to me, his ambition and his plans, I just wanted to be a part of it. I had two years in non-League, that toughened me up as a centre-half. I feel privileged to be where I am today, but I don’t forget where I came from.”
Cundy, who joined City from Bath in 2019, has had nine loan spells throughout his career, including four during his time in BS3. He also spent around seven months out injured after fracturing a cartilage in his knee during a stint at Gillingham.
City are expected to seek out a replacement in the transfer window and have been linked with a move for Northampton’s Fraser Horsfall.
The 25-year-old is expected to leave the League Two side, but it is believed that several sides are interested in his signature.