The class free agents Bristol City have chance to sign this week - including ex-QPR and Crystal Palace gems

Bristol City reached the play-offs last season under former boss Liam Manning. They were beaten at the semi-finals stage by Sheffield United over two legs. Manning then left Ashton Gate for a new challenge with fellow Championship side Norwich City.

Ex-Barnsley man Gerhard Struber has since been brought in as their replacement. He has the chance to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad with some reinforcements. With that in mind, here is a look at some free agents who remain available, focusing specifically on players taking part in the PFA’s free agent pre-season training initiative.

Free agent defensive options Bristol City could target

Kenneth Paal cut ties with QPR at the end of the last campaign. The Hoops didn’t end up keeping hold of the left-back this summer and he has become a free agent now. He is an option for Bristol City as they hunt for new faces.

Paal, 28, would give Struber another option to pick from on the left flank of defence. He joined the R’s back in 2022 and was a regular for them over the last three years. The Suriname international, who made 14 caps, made 130 appearances during his time in London, chipping in with six goals.

Jason Denayer is available and could provide useful cover and competition to the Robins’ back-line. He is an experienced operator and can play in midfield as well if needed. The Belgium international has spent the past couple of seasons in Saudi Arabia with Al Fateh.

Grant Hanley will be mulling over his next move after parting company with Norwich City. He spent time on loan at Birmingham City last term and helped the Blues win promotion from League One along with Wrexham and Charlton Athletic. The centre-back, like Denayer, would inject experience into Bristol City’s squad.

The 33-year-old rose up through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers and played 200 matches for their first-team in his early career. Newcastle United swooped in for him in 2016 but he only spent 12 months in the North East. He has been on the books at Carrow Road for the last eight years but is now unattached.

The midfield and attack free agents Bristol City should consider

Jairo Riedewald played for Crystal Palace from 2017 until 2024. He made 97 outings for the Eagles and found the net on three occasions. Prior to his switch to Selhurst Park, he caught the eye in the Eredivisie at Ajax.

Royal Antwerp came calling for his signature last year and he featured on 21 occasions for the Belgian Pro League club. They haven’t extended his stay and he is now available for Bristol City and other teams to sign. He can play at left-back as well as in midfield so his versatility would come in handy.

Oli McBurnie has a big decision on where he wants to play his football next term. The former Swansea City and Sheffield United striker moved over to Las Palmas last year and has spent the last campaign in La Liga. He is now without a club though and if the finances were right, he would be perfect for the Robins up top.

Yakou Meite is another player the Robins could call upon. He knows the second tier well from his stints at Reading and Cardiff City. The latter were relegated to League One recently after finishing in the bottom with Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle.