‘Everything you want’ - Bristol City breakthrough star that could save club millions

Rob Atkinson has tipped his teammate and Bristol City prospect Raphael Araoye for a bright future in professional football.

The 19-year-old has spent the whole of pre-season training with the Robins first-team and has featured in several matches. He was part of the Austria training camp and played for City in their final pre-season against Portsmouth last Saturday.

Araoye has received the backing of his fellow centre-half, Rob Atkinson who has watched him this month. Atkinson, currently sidelined with an ACL injury, could see Araoye step up in his absence.

“I really like the look of him,” said Atkinson appearing on Robins TV as a pundit and commentator against Newport County nine days ago.

“He’s a strong boy, physical, good left foot. You know what the gaffer is like. He always likes to blood in those youngsters.

“He’s got everything you want for a centre-half. He’s imposing, he’s tall, he’s strong. A few little tweaks and I’m sure he will go a long way in his career. If he’s lucky he’ll get a start this season as well.”

Araoye signed his first professional deal with the club in August 2022 and has been at the club since joining the Under-11 team. He performed well against Exeter City and AFC Bournemouth in friendly matches last year but had his fair share of injury problems, and required surgery in January, but is now hopeful of making a breakthrough into the first-team.

It is unsure yet whether Araoye will remain at City, or if Nigel Pearson believes a loan move would help aid his development. The increase from seven substitutes to nine this season could see Araoye stay with clubs still permitted to make five substitutes per match.

Bristol City would ideally like one more centre-back given Tomas Kalas has not signed a new deal. Kal Naismith meanwhile has been sidelined during pre-season with an injury, which hints at a starting partnership of Rob Dickie and Zak Vyner against Preston, with Araoye and Jamie Knight-Lebel considered options.