Bristol City’s latest transfers first words as Derby teammate & Peterborough star linked

Bristol City's newest signing Haydon Roberts believes the club is 'more than ready for the Premier League' after making the move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old was confirmed as the third transfer arrival of the summer on Wednesday evening, despite the window only opening on the same day. Roberts' arrival has seen the Robins strengthen in the defensive area with the signings of Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie.

City's ability to do their transfer business early has put them in a good position, as they prepare for a campaign in which they hope they can mount a play-off push. All three of City's new signings will be in the building for the first day of pre-season, and their added quality could narrow the 10-point gap which separated City and a top-six spot.

Roberts joins from Brighton, but the majority of his football has come at Derby County, where he played a huge part in the Rams' campaign. The defender played mainly as a left-back, but can also play as a centre-back, and that will be useful given their lack of options in the position.

“I want to be a winner and win with Bristol City and to help the club get to the heights they want to - I can’t wait for the challenge ahead,” stated Roberts to the official club website.

“I see a club with a great manager and a great squad, with a mix of young and experienced players, and I see a fantastic stadium that has a great fan base to go with it. It’s more than Premier League ready and now it’s about getting results.”

He added: “The young players here gave worked really hard to get to where they are. The club has a good model and I hope to be alongside them and push on with my career,” said Roberts.

“I want to establish myself as a regular in the team. I come here full of confidence and I back myself and I’d love to push up the table with Bristol City and progress to the Premier League.

“With getting transfers done early I can see the ambition is there and I am really proud to be a part of it."

City's business is expected to continue, and their technical director Brian Tinnion dropped a transfer hint, following a cheeky request from a supporter. The Robins fan tweeted 'Like if there’s more to come, Tinman?' and the 55-year-old did just that. Of course, that's grasping at straws, but there's an obvious desire for more signings to come through the door.

He suggested in March the club would act quickly and they have, and predicted that between three to five players would be joining the club, and that number would improve should Alex Scott depart Ashton Gate this summer. The club have yet to receive an offer for the 19-year-old, but a potential replacement is Derby County's Jason Knight, who on Thursday was linked with a move.

Knight - a teammate of Roberts, was touted with a move away from Pride Park, when Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny suggested he was 'on the verge' of a move and that he wanted him playing at a higher level than League One. BristolLive and the Derby Telegraph report that there is interest from City for Knight, but that no offer has yet been made.

City are said not to be the only Championship club interested in the 22-year-old, but that they have made the strongest enquiry. Derby have extended his contract by a further 12 months, but are said to not be under any pressure to sell him this summer. To date, Knight has made 112 appearances in the Championship, with 10 goals and four assists, whilst last season he got three assists and two goals in 38 appearances.

Knight isn’t the only player to be linked with a move to City, with Football Insider claiming that City, along with Ipswich Town are tracking Peterborough United star Jack Taylor. The 24-year-old was subject of three bids from the Tractor Boys last season, and now reportedly face competition from Nigel Pearson's side. Taylor got eight goals and five assists last season, and has also made 34 appearances in the Championship for the Posh, getting two goals and an assist. His primary position is as a central midfielder, but he can play as a winger on both sides, as well as a defensive midfielder.