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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City defender explains reasons for extending his stay after signing new two-year deal

Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen has signed a new two-year deal at the club.

The central defender has impressed with the Under-23s after joining BS3 in January on an initial short-term six-month contract. He was rewarded with his debut as a substitute in the 3-1 victory over Derby last month.

Idehen, 19, has also featured as an unused substitute on three occasions throughout the campaign, with manager Nigel Pearson preferring him ahead of the likes of Zak Vyner and Cam Pring in the matchday squad.

Speaking of his new deal, he told Robins TV: "I love it here, it's probably one of the best cities I've been to, which does help with your football because if you're enjoying yourself off the pitch, it helps you on the pitch.

"When I first came here I never thought I'd be with the first team within four to six months so that is a really amazing achievement for me."

Idehen joined the club following an unsuccessful trial period with Birmingham City. Last season he had played six times for Grimsby Town in League Two before being released from his contract by mutual consent.

The youngster produced an assured showing in his 20-minute cameo against the Rams, leading to Pearson admitting he wanted to keep him beyond the season while also detailing the qualities he likes in Idehen.

After the Derby game, Pearson said: "We'll be keeping him. He's got physical attributes which are really, really important and we've not seen his passing range today but he has a good range of passing.

"He was a bit nervous to start with but he is naturally a very good defender, he's a good destructive player and he had very simple instructions when he went on and that is to try and be a difficult opponent.

"He was very excited about being on the bench and to make his debut for a lad who has come on quite a bit - yea good for him."

Pearson will now be hoping fellow defender Timm Klose will be the next in line to commit their futures at Ashton Gate. He admitted he was keen on keeping hold of the Swiss veteran with his six-month deal expiring in the summer.

Following the emphatic 5-0 victory over Hull, Pearson said: "I can't tell you where we're at, I don't get involved with that sort of thing. I think he's done really well and I'd like to keep him."

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