Timm Klose's one-year extension came as another positive piece of transfer business concluded by Bristol City with the club looking to get their deals done swiftly and efficiently.
The Swiss international signed a one-year contract extension with the option for an extra year meaning the 34-year-old could remain a Robin until the summer of 2024. It's a welcome boost for Nigel Pearson whose top priority is to fix a defence that leaked 77 goals throughout last season.
Yes, Klose played 18 of those matches after joining in January but City's defence looked a lot more solid and settled towards the end of the season with the experienced veteran marshalling the back three with Rob Atkinson to his left and Robbie Cundy to his right.
Not only will his presence benefit City on the pitch, but he also remains a huge influence off it too particularly with the younger players coming through the ranks. He's an older shoulder to lean on for the likes of Duncan Idehen and Ryley Towler but also Atkinson and Cundy who remain relatively inexperienced at Championship level.
News of his contract extensions came five days after the arrival of Kal Naismith, adding to the increasingly stiff competition in the heart of the defence. It's a welcome conundrum for Pearson who now has 10 central defenders at his disposal.
That number will undoubtedly filter out throughout the summer with a number of those players on the City transfer list, and we assess what part each of those defenders could play at the club heading into the new season.
Tomas Kalas
City's record signing remains perhaps the biggest conundrum that Nigel Pearson has on his hands heading into the new season. His last appearance in the league came in the 2-1 defeat at home to Birmingham where injuries and a groin operation would force him to miss the rest of the campaign.
That handed Robbie Cundy his opportunity to stake his claim and the former Oxford man rose to the occasion after making his first Robins start in three years being at the club, rewarding himself with a new contract in the process. It's perhaps a sign that Kalas isn't such an integral figure to City's defence as he was this time last year.
Another mitigating factor is his contract situation. He remains one of the highest earners at the club and with his deal expiring in 12-months time, City are left in a quandary whether to stick or twist for the experienced centre-back. There's no doubting the wage bill needs reducing and this summer could be the final opportunity for the club to cash in and generate some much-needed transfer funds.
On his day, Kalas still remains one of the best central defenders outside of the Championship and would inspire confidence in the backline if selected, however a ruthless decision needs to be made especially if other areas of the side need focus and attention in the transfer market.
Kal Naismith
A signing out of nowhere, Naismith undoubtedly strengthens City's defence and provides plenty of options for versatility at the back. Having joined as Luton's Player of the Year, the 30-year-old will undoubtedly join expecting to be handed a starting role next season.
His favoured position is a central defender but he can also play as a left-back and in defensive midfield. Considering City's defensive record last season and Pearson's desire to land defenders, one can expect him to be utilised as a centre-back, providing covers for other areas on the pitch if needed.
However, it does pose a question as to whether he can play in the side alongside Rob Atkinson, also a left-footed centre back. Much more will become clearer during pre-season fixtures.
Zak Vyner
A player whose future at the beginning of next season is likely to be away from Bristol City having fallen out of contention towards the end of last season. His last appearance came in a 45-minute cameo against Peterborough, on the back of that 3-1 defeat at Swansea where Pearson ripped into certain players for their individual errors.
The manager then told the press that he had conversations with certain players that they should look for new clubs and it's inevitable Vyner was part of that discussion, particularly having fallen behind forward Sam Bell in the pecking order in that right wing-back role.
He also has one year left on his contract and the club will listen to any offers this summer, thus ending his 18-year spell having joined as a youth player.
Taylor Moore
See above. Taylor Moore is another who will be up for grabs during the transfer window having returned from his loan spell with Hearts.
The 25-year-old has never been in the manager's plans ever since Pearson walked through the door having found himself quickly on the substitute bench. He was then sent off to Scotland on a season-long loan last summer where he endured a mixed campaign, with spells in and out of the side.
Before the end of the season, Moore gave an interview to Edinburgh Evening News in which he conceded a move away from the club would probably suit all parties. He said: I’m old enough and ugly enough to understand that sometimes you need to move on and close a chapter."
With one year left on his contract, City will be looking to pocket some transfer fee but there have been no concrete rumours as of yet.
Nathan Baker
The central defender continues to be assessed by the club and doctors after he was hospitalised for the second time during the season with a concussion picked up in the game against Sheffield United in November.
Baker has been in and around the club and was involved in the lap of appreciation on the final home match of the season but it's still very much uncertain whether he will be involved next season or not. Pearson has always conceded that the club will make an update on his health when necessary.
Robbie Cundy
There aren't too many players who can change Pearson's opinion but fair play to Cundy, he has managed to earn himself a new contract when he appeared to be edging closer to the exit door.
Having forced his way into the side in Kalas' absence, Cundy's performances have been solid enough to show that he deserves his place in the squad next season whether that's a starting role or as a squad player.
There is still no certainty that Cundy will stay at City having yet to pen an extension to his current contract which expires at the end of this month. With Klose signed, Naismith on the books and Atkinson's form towards the end of last season, Cundy will have a fight on his hands for a starting role, especially if Pearson opts to switch to a back four. Whether that is playing into the decision to delay putting pen-to-paper remains to be seen but it's clear the manager wants to keep him around.
Rob Atkinson
Atkinson's debut season in the Championship was met with highs and lows which ultimately ended as one of City's most consistent performers. He started the campaign well before a serious illness, weight gain and injury led to a loss of form in the backline.
He spent six weeks recovering on the sidelines before eventually making his return against Birmingham in March where he since slotted into that position on the left of Klose in the back three.
Atkinson's aerial threat also became a real string to his bow having scored back-to-back goals against Bournemouth and Peterborough, having put his extra aggression in the air down to the manager. He has surely cemented his spot in the starting XI heading into the new season and will now look to kick on having had a year of Championship experience under his belt.
Duncan Idehen
Idehen was just one of nine players to make their first-team debuts last season, having been rewarded for his string of commanding performances for the Under-23s. He joined the club on a six-month basis in January after impressing on trial and found himself on the bench for the first time in City's defeat at Swansea.
Idehen then found himself higher up the pecking order, ahead of the likes of Cam Pring who failed to feature in the matchday squads towards the end of the season, before making his debut as a substitute in the victory over Derby. He was then handed his second opportunity on the final day of the season against Huddersfield where it was revealed he had been handed a two-year contract extension.
Idehen, 19, is unlikely to be in Pearson's first-team plans next season and perhaps the best he can hope for is a place on the bench and therefore could benefit from a loan spell away from the club to get used to the rigours of either Championship or League One football. It has to be taken into account that Idehen had only featured in a handful of games for League Two Grimsby before joining the Robins.
Ryley Towler
City have high hopes for Towler and could easily become one of the first names on the team sheet one day in the future if he continues his development. He made his debut last February in an FA Cup game against Sheffield United and has made one league appearance this season - a 45-minute cameo in the 3-2 win over Millwall in January before picking up a back problem.
Before the end of the season, Pearson gave an update on Towler revealing he will be training with the first-team over pre-season but like Idehen, he's a player that could benefit from playing regular, competitive football out on loan while City have an abundance of options at centre-back.
Academy director Brian Tinnion recently spoke on the 3 Peaps in a Podcast where he discussed the immediate futures of some of City's young talents, suggesting they will have a sit down with the manager over the summer to decide which players go out on loan.
He had a loan spell with Grimsby in the National League at the beginning of the season and City could look to see how he develops at a Football League club before thrusting him into regular Championship action.
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