Stefan Bajic was the pick of the bunch out of 12 goalkeepers coach Pat Mountain watched in great detail over the summer.
The 20-year-old French stopper became the fourth summer signing through the door on a free transfer, agreeing to a three-year contract after leaving Ligue 2 club Pau following a short-term six-month stint.
Prior to that, Bajic came through the youth system at St Etienne where he became their youngest ever player to start a league game during the 2019-20 campaign aged 17. He made nine appearances in the French top flight and a further three in the Coupe de France.
Bajic also arrives into BS3 with international pedigree having featured in all of France's youth sides including playing for his country at the Euro's Under-19 Championship alongside Han-Noah Massengo in 2019 where they were knocked out by Spain in the semi-finals on penalties.
For goalkeeping coach Mountain, the move was a no-brainer. He said: "If there's an opportunity to add to your goalkeeping department by signing an international goalkeeper on a free transfer it's something we didn't really want to turn down. His arrival only enhances the group of goalkeepers that we've got here.
"I get sent hundreds of messages from agents, from the recruitment department - if it's a goalkeeper, it normally gets chest deflected straight to me to check it. You're always looking at what's there and what's available.
"We were made aware he was available and over the summer holidays and he was probably one of 10-12 goalies that I looked at with a lot of detail and I thought if we can get him on a free transfer, he's only 20, he's already played in the top two levels in France then why not?"
While Bajic is likely to be slowly introduced to the rigours of Championship football, his arrival provides manager Nigel Pearson with another option between the sticks. Captain Dan Bentley remains the No1 but as seen from last season, his place is not guaranteed after Max O'Leary dislodged him for nine Championship games albeit failed to take the shirt in the long-term.
Both Bentley and O'Leary's contracts expire in 11 months' time although there is the option to extend the latter's for an extra year. Bentley confirmed towards the end of last season that there had been early talks by his representatives over extending his deal but there's no doubt Bajic will eye taking that No1 spot going forward.
There's also a real chance O'Leary could be sent out on loan with a number of League One clubs interested. Exeter are keen after MK Dons made an enquiry before signing Jamie Cumming on a season-long loan. A temporary switch is being made complicated by Bajic's injury and the fact his work permit clearance has yet to go through - although the club are confident it won't be an issue.
The Frenchman will currently miss the start of the season as he recovers from wrist surgery undergone earlier in the summer, but Mountain expects him to be challenging once recovered.
"He's not going to be fit for the start of the season but he's still going to be valuable for the group and it leaves Dan and Max fighting it out," he added. "At the moment we have two good keepers competing for the No1 shirt and when Stefan's fit we'll have three. It's a problem but in a nice way.
"Dan and Max have shown how good they are and we're really lucky to have two good Championship-level goalkeepers and two younger ones in Harvey Wiles-Richards and Will Buse who is back out on loan, for the future."
Buse has returned to Taunton Town where he enjoyed a fine stint last season while, with regards to Wiles-Richards, the youngster returned to the squad in the summer following a successful short-term loan spell with Gloucester City. He also impressed in City's Under-23 side during their run to the play-off final defeat to Coventry.
Mountain adds that a decision to loan him out again remains undecided for now but admitted he needs games with options available for Wiles-Richards to head out temporarily once again.
He added: "He needs football. The really difficult thing and it's so boring for me to say but everyone needs games and for goalkeepers, it's really difficult to get games.
"Part of being a good goalkeeper is learning how not to play when you're not playing and how to keep yourself right but Harvey's training with the first team every day, he did really well with Gloucester at the end of last year so ultimately to get to the level to be a Bristol City goalkeeper you need to do the steps.
"But at the moment although there might be options for him, we'd look to keep him here... for now."
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