George Tanner is delighted to be rewarded for perseverance and professionalism after signing a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Bristol City having experienced doubts last year over his long-term future at the club.
The 23-year-old right-back had to remain patient for his opportunity this season after just 45 minutes of action in City's first 17 league matches, as Nigel Pearson favoured a wing-back system, but has since cemented his place in the manager’s first-team plans following the switch to a four-man defence.
Pearson has previously admitted he's had to fast track Tanner into his plans following his arrival from Carlisle in 2021, given the shortage of options at the back. His debut campaign at Ashton Gate was then dogged by two hamstring injuries that saw him sidelined for the second half of last season.
However, his return to fitness and consistent levels of performance having made the step up from League Two has been a undoubted positive in 2022/23, evidenced by the new deal he's agreed.
"There have been talks for a few weeks but it all got agreed very quickly and I'm over the moon, so happy to commit my future to the club. Really exciting times ahead," Tanner said.
"I've been through a period of tough times during my spell here. It started off well but then with the injuries and I started this season out of favour. I've had to work hard for my place and since I've been back in the team I've been really happy and proved to myself and the club I can be the main right-back going forward.
"With my injuries last year, as a manager you've got to do what's best for the team so he changed shape, went to a back five, which probably suited other players instead of me which is absolutely fair enough. So, at times, I was probably thinking how I was going to get back into the team but I've just had to be patient and wait for my chance.”
Former Manchester United academy talent Tanner is part of a core of young talent at City, who have either emerged through the academy, or, like him, been signed from elsewhere.
The make-up of what’s now become Pearson’s go-to defensive line-up is interesting in the sense that three of its members, Tanner, Zak Vyner and Cam Pring have faced periods of uncertainty around their long-term prospects at the club, but have since worked their way back into the starting XI.
The 23-year-old missed the midweek defeat at Luton Town due to illness but is said to return for Sunday's trip to Swansea City.
"There are examples all over the pitch where players have not played for certain periods of time and now you're seeing what they can do in the team,” Tanner added. “Sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity and take it when it comes, which is what I've done and other players have as well.
"As a player, all you want to do is play football. When you're not playing you do question the future and it's uncertain times which is not nice so, yeah, I'm really happy to be playing now. It's really rewarding.
"We've got a young team and it'll be really nice if we can all stay together, progress together and we're all really hungry. Hopefully we can go on a journey as a team.”
Tanner becomes the third senior player to recently sign a new contract in BS3 following Nahki Wells in December and goalkeeper Max O'Leary last month. The striker accepted a pay cut to stay with the club with an agreement in place until the summer of 2025 while O'Leary penned a deal until 2026.
Before the New Year, Pearson confirmed a number of players had been offered new deals. Jay Dasilva's current deal expires at the end of the season with the manager suggesting nothing has been decided with his future beyond the campaign.
Zak Vyner, Tomas Kalas, Han-Noah Massengo and Andy King are other notable names whose deals are expiring at the end of June. Bristol Live understands talks have taken place with Vyner although the club do also possess a one-year option on his contract which they are yet to trigger.
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