Departing Bristol City player makes Premier League prediction in classy goodbye

Departing Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo believes there is no doubt that the club will reach the Premier League.

Massengo’s contract with the Robins expired on Saturday, bringing to an end his four-year stay with the club. He joined for a fee of £2.7m from Monaco in August 2019, and turned out 110 times under three different managers.

He was brought in to try and help Bristol City’s ambition of reaching the top-flight of English football having been starved of it for 43-years. However their highest finish with Massengo at the club was a 12th-placed finish back in the 2019/20 campaign.

Massengo’s departure at City though comes at a time where optimism is high, with there being a genuine belief that a top-six spot is not too far away. Nigel Pearson - who Massengo fell out of favour under - has assembled a young and hungry squad which is led by the likes of Alex Scott, and Tommy Conway.

And Massengo was keen to pay tribute to his teammates, and all the members of staff and fans, who made his time at Ashton Gate mostly enjoyable.

“For four years this has been my home,” he started with an emotional video which was accompanied with photos and videos of his time spent at the club.

“For four years, I’ve given you my everything and in return you became my world.

“Looking back I was just a boy when I landed at Bristol airport but from that first big step in this magical city I felt the love and support all around. I knew I had found a home.

“You gave me a song from day one. I’ll hear those sounds forever. I’ve seen Ashton Gate develop, I’ve seen the training ground become elite and I’ve seen all the foundations come to fruition.

“There’s so many unseen and unsung heroes at this place and I want to thank you all. I want you to know every minute I got on the pitch, I gave every ounce of energy I could. Whilst this game throws you curve balls, my dedication to this club never wavered.

“It has been the biggest pleasure to wear your shirt. There’s no doubts this club will one day be at the very top.

“I hope those days are soon. My hair will always be massive and you will always have my love, drink up the cider.”

As for where Massengo will end up now he has departed the West Country is still yet unsure. He may no longer be a player at Bristol City, but should he join a club abroad then BristolLive report that they could get £260,000 in compensation for him. Newly promoted Burnley, who are closing in on the £19m signing of James Trafford from Manchester City, are also keen on Massengo, and a move to Turf Moor would see them receive even more in compensation.

His former club Monaco are interested in re-signing him according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. He claims that Burnley, Freiburg and Monaco are interested, meanwhile Real Betis and Wolfsburg are also said to hold an interest.  A return to his most recent club Auxerre is unlikely however, following their relegation from Ligue One on the final day.