Ex-Norwich City & VfL Wolfsburg defender training with Bristol City as Nigel Pearson looks for defensive cover

Former Norwich City defender Timm Klose has been training with Bristol City, it can be revealed today.

The 33-year-old 6ft 4in tall Swiss central defender has joined up with The Robins as boss Nigel Pearson looks for defensive cover with Nathan Baker expected to be out for the rest of the season.

The transfer news comes ahead of the Severnside derby with Cardiff City.

Klose left the Canaries after a mutual agreement to cancel his contract last September.

The defender had made 28 appearances in all competitions for Norwich, scoring ten goals, after joining from VfL Wolfsburg for £8.5 million in 2016.

He was a key part in the side which won the Championship title in 2018/19.

But he was side-lined for most of last season due to injury and spent time on loan with FC Basel.

BristolWorld understands he joined training at Failand last week and that the club is assessing his fitness for a potential two-year deal.

PA Media football writer Nick Mashiter, who has reported on Norwich City, said the player is fondly remembered by Canary supporters.

He said: “When he first arrived he was vital, but he got injured against Crystal Palace and that really harmed Norwich’s chances of staying up and many people see that as a reason why they went down (2015/16).

“It was a difficult year the next year when they missed out on promotion and in 2017 the club wanted to go a different direction in terms of investments but he was a key player in the promotion season in 2018/19.

“He is very well remembered for his injury time goal against Ipswich in 2018.”

He added: “He’s quite a leader, good at organising the team but he didn’t get much time on the pitch back in the Premier League and ended up going out on loan.”