Bristol City boss rules out loan move for exciting teenager

Nigel Pearson has dismissed the possibility of talented Bristol City youngster Ephraim Yeboah departing the club on loan this summer, following several impressive substitute appearances of late.

The 17-year-old has been used in three of the Robins’ four matches in all competitions so far this season and hasn’t looked out of place in the team.

Being so young, a loan move away from the club to gain regular minutes could be an option, but his manager was keen to shut down any talk that Yeboah could depart this summer after Saturday’s defeat to Birmingham City.

“A loan? Why would we let someone else have him?” Pearson said. “We don’t have a big squad, he came to Austria with us in pre-season and I've seen enough to suggest that he's got a role to play for us. How big of a role that is and whether that includes starts, I’m not even going to predict now.”

The young prospect signed his first professional contract with the club last month, on his 17th birthday, which will last until the summer of 2026.

Yeboah first joined the Robins as an under-15 and is one of several players to have successfully navigated through the club's academy system to sign a professional contract in the West Country.

Pearson continued: “The three cameos that he's had, he's done the right job for the team. He's come on in two wins and a defeat but has always managed to come on and do what's required, so fair play to the lad.”