‘Pointless’ - Tomas Kalas opens up on Bristol City exit and why he rejected new contract

Tomas Kalas has admitted he wanted to stay at Bristol City before making a summer move to FC Schalke.

The 30-year-old left Ashton Gate this summer having been one of their most long-serving players. He was offered a new contract by the Robins but talks reached a stalemate and never picked up which in turn saw Kalas join the German club.

He was offered a contract in May, however it is understood that the terms were significantly less as to what was offered from the first contract he signed when he joined from Chelsea for a club record fee in 2019. Kalas was in attendance at City’s season opener against Preston, and had been open to staying but wanted improved terms from the original offer.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Kalas said: “When the offer came, I knew that I’m not going to accept it and since then there was no reply back from them as long as I am aware.

“But I think the only thing I can say is the lack of negotiating and the lack of communication, it was the only thing.

“Maybe we could have worked out a deal but maybe we couldn’t. If they send really the maximum what they can offer I understand that they never replied back because it would have been pointless.”

Kalas is under contract at Schalke until the summer of 2025 and will be 32 when his current deal expires. He plans to return to the city of Bristol when he hangs up his boots, as it is where his partner is from and through the club he has gained a strong affinity for the area.

He said: “Everyone knew that I loved Bristol and I’m going to spend my future in Bristol as well.

“It’s what I am planning no other place in the world where I have been I wanted to stay for the rest of my life obviously.

“The situation is that my girlfriend is from the same area helps as well. I got very homely there and I wanted to stay.”