Bristol City have confirmed they have terminated their short-term agreement with Nikita Haikin, who has rejoined Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt less than two months after arriving at Ashton Gate.
Haikin has returned to the Eliteserien side after they were unable to secure a new goalkeeper since his departure in January.
Haikin was on the Robins bench throughout his time at Ashton Gate, deputising for Max O’Leary, over 10 Championship fixtures and two FA Cup ties against West Brom and Manchester City, without earning any game time.
He did make one appearance for the Under-21s in a Professional Development League match against Colchester United in February, while Nigel Pearson has previously commented on him being a positive character to have around the club.
Haikin joined City on January 25, the same day the club had sanctioned the sale of long-standing first-choice and club captain Dan Bentley to Premier League Wolves and loaned promising French prospect Stefan Bajic to Valenciennes.
The theory behind the move being that Bajic could return to his homeland, having struggled to adapt to life in England and with Bentley out of contract in the summer and no offer of a new deal forthcoming, it meant financial sense to let the 29-year-old leave for a minimal fee.
With Haikin’s arrival on a short-term deal until the end of the season, City were therefore covered in the goalkeeping department before the next transfer window whereby Pearson and technical director Brian Tinnion could assess their options.
O’Leary agreed a new three-and-a-half-year contract earlier this month, having established himself as No1, with Bajic under an agreement until 2025. But with eight games of the season remaining, City could be left with just one senior goalkeeper.
Unless the Robins look to sign a free agent, Under-21 starter Harvey Wiles-Richards, who has been around the matchday squad for the last 18 months, plus teenagers Josey Casa-Grande, Joe Duncan and Mac Boyd, none of which have made a senior appearance, are Pearson's next options. Will Buse, meanwhile, remain on loan at National League Yeovil Town.
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