Who is Timm Klose? The Switzerland international defender hoping to earn two-year deal at Bristol City

Bristol City have yet to make a January transfer signing but they could be about to dip into the market of free agency.

On Saturday, just before the Severnside Derby, it was exclusively reported by BristolWorld that Timm Klose had begun training with the Robins.

This was later confirmed by manager Nigel Pearson who in his post-match press conference was asked whether that was correct in which he replied: "Yeah it is but I won’t comment on anything else."

Pearson has kept his cards close to his chest but at least it’s been confirmed that a player is in the building.

It’s early days yet but we take a look at what could be the first incoming of the winter period window.

What has Timm Klose’s career been like?

Timm Klose has had a 15-year playing career in senior football, beginning his career for Basel’s Under-21’s side where they would come up against Swiss lower league sides for two years.

With first-team opportunities limited, he made the move to FC Thun, who played in the Swiss Challenge League, the second tier. He made an immediate impact making 29 appearances as they won the title.

After that he never looked back, he’d go on to make 30 appearances in the Swiss Super League, helping them to a European football spot in their first season.

It would attract the attention of German outfit FC Nurnberg where he started well but was later dropped into the reserves but was able to claw his way back and become a regular fixture in the defence.

That season he earned a move to Wolfsburg and it was during a three-year spell that he won his first major honour, the DFB-Pokal, the German equivalent of the FA Cup.

In January 2016, he was brought to the English shores and signed by Norwich City who were in the Premier League, though he suffered relegation six months later. The Canaries would spend three seasons in the Championship with Klose becoming a regular fixture in the side, coinciding with the arrival of Daniel Farke.

Playing 31 times, he won the Championship title with Norwich, which would be his second league win.

Unfortunately he would be limited to just seven appearances in the league after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Last season, he was loaned out to his former club Basel, of whom he never made a competitive appearance for at the start of his career. He did not have the desired impact at the club though as they suffered a defeat to lower league Winterthur, as well as finishing a whole 31 points behind champions Young Boys.

His stay in Switzerland was not extended and after arriving back in Norfolk, his contract was cancelled a year early.

As well as a long club career, he has also played 17 times for the Switzerland national team but didn’t represent them at a major tournament.

How old is Timm Klose?

The Swiss international defender is 33-years-old and turns 34 on the 9th May this year. If he were to join then he would be the second oldest player in the squad, second to Danny Simpson.

City currently have Andreas Weimann, Matty James, Baker, Nahki Wells and Chris Martin, who are all 30 or over.

What has Timm Klose been doing since leaving Norwich?

Most recently, he spoke to Norwich City based website PinkUn about his departure from Carrow Road.

There was a twinge of regret of him rushing himself back from injury as Norwich had suffered an injury crisis and needed defensive cover.

Klose drew criticism for his performances from supporters in what would be his last ten games for Norwich with the team failing to win a match and relegated from the top flight.

“We had discussions with Stuart Webber and it wasn’t quite the same,” he said. “It didn’t feel the same.

“If I look back, I probably would behave differently. Periods like those change you a little bit and you make mistakes. You say the wrong things, even though you don’t mean them, but it just happened. And I’m sorry for that.”

A look at his Instagram account, he can be seen watching Switzerland qualify for the 2022 World Cup back in November. He had also been going through a personal fitness training programme with Eight-On, a training base in Basel.

Why would Bristol City sign him?

The Robins have one of the worst defensive records in the division with only Cardiff City, Reading and Peterborough conceding more.

This is despite regularly playing with three centre-backs which some would think would sure up the defence given the emphasis on playing with three defensive minded players.

As well as that, the numbers in that position have been cut short due to injury which has changed the mindset of City in this window. A striker was what was wanted at the start but now the emphasis has turned on getting a defender in.

Pearson does not envisage Nathan Baker playing again this season after two consecutive head injuries. Rob Atkinson meanwhile was substituted on Saturday for a back injury.

Young defender Ryley Towler is also nursing a back injury and hasn’t had much experience at Championship level, spending the first half of the season on loan at Grimsby Town.

Getting an out and out centre-back into the club would add another body into what is an important position. Given the preference to play with three centre-backs, you don’t want players having to play in unfamiliar positions.

What deal could be on the table?

From the initial report, it is reported that the defender is hoping for a two-year deal with City assessing his fitness.

This would take him up until the end of the 2022/23 campaign which would offer him the rest of this season, as well as the entire of next season.

This would be a bigger commitment than what summer summer signings Simpson and King were offered in the summer. Both players, who had worked with Pearson previously and had one-year deals.

Can he be signed outside the transfer window?

Championship clubs can only register 25 players over the age of 21 in their squads. Currently, City have 20 players over the age of 21 in their squad so there are still a few spots for them to fill. This is partly down to City’s desire to trim the wage bill by getting fringe players off of their books. As Klose is a free agent there is no rush to get this deal done from a registration perspective.