Former Portsmouth and Millwall favourite Jed Wallace reveals how he was sold move to Bristol City
One-time Fratton favourite has Jed Wallace has joined Bristol City on a free transfer after leaving West Brom
Former Pompey favourite Jed Wallace has revealed why he chose a move to Bristol City following his West Brom exit.
And just like ex-Blues target Gibson Yah, it appears the project sold to him by Robins boss Michael Skubala and sporting director James Ellis convinced him that Ashton Gate was the be place to be at this stage of his career.
The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Championship outfit on Friday, following the expiration of his WBA contract.
The forward, who spent four seasons at the Hawthorns and featured 149 times for the Baggies, is City’s fourth new arrival of the summer transfer window, with deals already completed for midfielder Yah, attacking midfielder Sam Greenwood and goalkeeper Sam Pickle.
Unlike Yah, Wallace wasn’t a signing Pompey were actively exploring this summer. Indeed, on June 13, The News exclusively revealed that a return to Fratton Park, 11 years on from his departure in 2015, wasn’t happening.
That didn’t stop members of the Fratton faithful dreaming of a homecoming for their former player of the year.
However, with a reunion now out of the question, the attacker has divulged what convinced him to commit to the Robins for the next two years.
Speaking to Bristol City’s media team, Wallace said: ‘I am really proud and excited to be here. I spoke to James and Michael and I am extremely impressed.
‘There is a huge opportunity for us this season to achieve something and I hope I can help the leaders here in the group already.
‘There will be plenty of ups and downs, so it is important the experienced players in the dressing room hold that together.
‘I am looking forward to getting out there and meeting all the fans.’
Yah: ‘They showed me their vision
Yah, who completed his move to Ashton Gate from FC Volendam last month, said the vision presented to him by both Skubala and Ellis also helped him to decide the Robins were the best club for him as he entered the next stage for his career.
The 22-year-old Dutchman had been in talks with Pompey about a move to Fratton Park this summer. Yet, that fell through, leaving the Blues to explote alternative options.
Yah said: ‘I had some options, but when I heard Bristol City was interested I didn’t have to think long about.
‘The manager and coach are new to the club and they showed me their vision.
‘For me it was nice to come into an environment where other people are also new.
‘They especially spoke about their trust in me, that was mostly the reason I was excited to come to this club.’
Wallace made 121 apearances and scored 30 goals for Pompey between 2012 and 2015, before he was sold to Wolves.
The forward will face his former club when the Blues travel to Ashton Gate in the Championship on August 29.