Bristol City have confirmed the exciting arrival of wing-back Kane Wilson on a three-year deal.
The 22-year-old right wing-back becomes the club's third arrival of the summer following in the footsteps of Mark Sykes and centre-back Kal Naismith from Luton. City also tied down centre-back Timm Klose to a new contract.
Wilson, League Two's Player of the Year, will arrive on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Forest Green Rovers on July 1, but the Gloucestershire club will be eligible for compensation having offered Wilson a new deal last month.
The arrival will be eyed as a big coup for manager Nigel Pearson with City fending off interest from other Championship clubs for his signature. Wilson played an integral part of Forest Green's promotion campaign, scoring three and assisting 13 last season.
Bristol Live confirmed on Thursday night that personal terms had been agreed with Wilson and the player underwent his medical at the club earlier on Friday.
The lure of regular first-team football is thought to be a big draw to convince Wilson to join rank at Ashton Gate alongside Pearson's reputation for playing and developing young players.
A deal also made sense for Wilson geographically as he currently lives in Gloucestershire following his move to Forest Green from West Brom in 2020.
Wilson came through the Baggies academy but failed to make a league appearance for the club having spent time on loan with Exeter, Walsall and Tranmere before eventually joining Forest Green on a two-year deal in 2020.
He predominantly played as a wing-back throughout the majority of last season but played as a right-back during his loan spells. The versatility is an attractive trait for Pearson who wants the flexibility to switch formations next season.
His arrival is also an important solution to an ongoing problem throughout last season with Pearson failing to find a solution on the right side of defence. The manager used six different players in that position before favouring midfielder Alex Scott.
Scott is now expected to be utilised in his favoured centre midfield role with Wilson and youngster George Tanner expected to be vying for the wing-back position.
Birmingham City were one of the clubs looking at Wilson alongside Nottingham Forest who scouted Wilson for large parts of last season. However, their promotion to the Premier League has meant manager Steve Cooper will look elsewhere despite Djed Spence expected to sign for Tottenham.
Watford also threatened to scupper Bristol City's deal after they appointed ex-Forest Green manager Rob Edwards to help get them back to the top flight following their relegation. But he will have less of a say on their transfer strategy under owner Gino Pozzo.
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