Bristol City extend Chris Martin’s stay as veteran forward earns new deal with Robins

Bristol City have extended the contract of striker Chris Martin by a year in a deal that will keep him at the club until 2023.

The 33-year-old’s contract was due to expire in the summer but the Robins have opted to extend his stay at Ashton Gate.

Martin has made 68 appearances for the Robins, scoring 13 goals after joining on a free transfer in September 2020 under former boss Dean Holden.

The Scotland international has played in all but one of City's 38 league fixtures this year and has recorded nine goals, including a brace in the Severnside Derby victory over Cardiff City in January.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and am excited about staying for at least another year,” Martin said to Robins TV.

“I’m keen to continue contributing so we finish as high up the table as possible so we head into next season with some momentum.”

First-team manager Nigel Pearson was equally as delighted to tie down one of his experienced professionals to a new deal.

"You look at a lot of our goals and he’s involved in them. Hopefully he’ll continue with his contribution in term of scoring goals because that’s what he really wants to do,” he said to Robins TV.

"He’s also a very reliable defender and we’ve needed that because we have not been as reliable as I would like and the players would like themselves. He’s had a decent season when you consider how long he was out for last season.

"Chris has good availability and, when he has played, he has performed well. I think it’s important to recognise the players that have contributed consistently well for the team."

Nigel Pearson had previously said that the club would prioritise a defensive signing in the summer and that given the attacking threat of Martin, Antoine Semenyo and Andreas Weimann, it would be hard to find a player to add to that.

After Martin’s renewal, only four senior players are out of contract in the summer with decisions yet to be made on their futures. Callum O’Dowda’s deal expires though there is an option for a further year, he though has been out with injury for the past month.

Experienced midfielder Andy King, who reunited with Pearson during their days at Leicester City, is a free agent in the summer. The 33-year-old’s out with his second hamstring injury of the season, limiting his involvement with the team.

There is also Timm Klose, who was signed in January after a defensive crisis left them short on numbers. The 33-year-old was signed on a six-month deal and will be hoping that he does enough from now until the end of the season to earn a more securitive contract.

Whilst third-choice goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards, who has at times been a substitute in the absence of either Daniel Bentley or Max O’Leary, also has his deal up.