[themaclad]

Bristol City have completed the signing of Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes on a three-year contract.

No fee will be involved as the 24-year-old's deal with Oxford had expired, having joined them from Irish Premiership side Glenavon in 2019.

He made 40 appearances for the League One outfit this season as they finished eighth in the table.

In March, Sykes received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad but is yet to make his debut.

"I've always wanted to play in the Championship and the manager was honest with me - he told me he would give me a chance here at the club so hopefully things keep moving in the right direction," he said.

"I've only been at two clubs so I don't have vast experience at training grounds but from what I can see here it's unbelievable. It's top-class, no complaints."

Sykes played for Northern Ireland under-21s but made the decision to switch allegiances and pursue an international career with the Republic in 2020.

City, who finished 17th in the Championship, previously signed Guernsey FC teenagers Ben Acey and Tim Ap Sion.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Callum O'Dowda has been released by the club after six seasons at Ashton Gate.

Winger O'Dowda moved to the club from Oxford United, like Sykes, back in 2016 and had an injury-hit campaign.

[themaclad]

Bristol City have signed defender Kal Naismith on a three-year deal.

The 30-year-old Scot will join the Robins on a free transfer when his contract at fellow Championship side Luton Town ends next month.

Naismith joined the Hatters in January 2021 and made 68 appearances, with his final one coming in the play-off semi-final loss to Huddersfield.

"It's a huge club and I'm just massively excited to be a part of it," he said.

In a statement on Saturday, Luton said they were "surprised" to hear Naismith had rejected a new deal with the Hatters to join Bristol City "without advance warning".

Naismith made 45 appearances for Luton in all competitions, scoring three goals and contributing 11 assists, to help Nathan Jones' side finish sixth in the Championship.

He added: "There is everything here for this club to be successful on the pitch and ultimately it's up to the players and everyone to give everything every day and always try to get better day-in-day-out.

"I believe if we do that it will stand us in good stead."

[themaclad]

Bristol City have signed League Two Player of the Year Kane Wilson from Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old wing-back helped Rovers win League Two, scoring three goals in 48 games in all competitions.

Wilson joined Forest Green from West Bromwich Albion two years ago, having had two loan spells at Exeter City and others at Tranmere and Walsall.

He has agreed a three-year contract with the Championship club with City in talks with Rovers about compensation.

Under EFL rules, Forest Green are due recompense for developing Wilson as he is under 24 and leaving for free.

[themaclad]

Bristol City forward Sam Bell has signed a new three-year contract.

The 20-year-old, who has come up through the Robins' academy system, has made 10 first-team appearances since his Championship debut in 2020.

He scored his first senior goal during a short loan spell in the National League with Grimsby Town last season.

"I'm really buzzing to be signing a new three-year deal, it's what I've been working hard to achieve," Bell told the club website.

[themaclad]

Championship club Bristol City have signed forward Harry Cornick from Luton Town and midfielder Anis Mehmeti from Wycombe Wanderers for undisclosed fees.

Both players have agreed three-and-a-half-year deals with the Robins.

Cornick, 27, netted 38 times in 235 appearances for the Hatters after joining from Bournemouth in the summer of 2017.

Mehmeti, 22, joined Wycombe from Norwich in 2020 and scored 19 goals in 97 outings for the League One club.

Meanwhile, forward Chris Martin and defender Timm Klose, both 34, have left Ashton Gate by mutual agreement.

Martin scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in 95 appearances for the club after the ex-Derby County and Norwich City man arrived as a free agent in the summer of 2020.

Klose, who has earned 17 caps for Switzerland, featured 30 times for the Robins.

Mehmeti, an Albania Under-21 international, comes into Nigel Pearson's squad less than a day after midfielder Han-Noah Massengo departed on loan for the rest of the season to French Ligue One side Auxerre.

Massengo is out of contract this summer with the Robins.