Nahki Wells: Bristol City forward signs two-year contract extension

Wells has scored 27 goals in his time at Bristol City, including eight this season

Bristol City forward Nahki Wells has signed a new two-year deal to remain at the club until 2025.

The 32-year-old joined the Robins in January 2020 from Burnley in a deal worth around £5m and has since made more than 120 appearances.

This season, Wells has scored eight goals in 22 Championship matches.

"It was never something that was going to be a difficult decision, it was always something that I wanted," Wells told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I set my heart on trying to work hard to earn the opportunity to stay beyond this current contract and to be offered it at this stage is for me, my family, and everyone involved with myself, very happy."

Last season, the Bermudian was regularly used as a substitute and at one point was close to leaving the Robins.

However, this season he has become a regular fixture in the team.

"Nahki is a very important member of our squad and has been right the way through," City manager Nigel Pearson said.

"Last year was difficult for him but his behaviour and the way he was supportive of his team-mates was exemplary.

"He's a player who is in his 30s but genetically he's not going to lose his pace, he's a good athlete, and he's got a very boyish outlook on his football.

"He enjoys his football, he trains well. For me, it's a no brainer."

Look and plan forward

Pearson has been in charge of Bristol City since February 2021

Three players out of contract at the end of this season have already been told that they will not be offered new deals.

Pearson said there was potential this could lead to activity in the January transfer window, but it was still uncertain.

"We decided to do it early so that people can, if you like, try and find alternative solutions," he said.

"If we can do stuff in January we'll need to generate the opportunity to do it, whether that's players going out so that frees up a bit of money or whether we can do something outside of that I still can't give you the definitive answer to that."

Wells is among six or seven players Pearson said have been offered new contracts.

A clause in Antoine Semenyo's contract has also been triggered to keep him at the club for an extra year.

However, the club have been open about their need to cut the current wage bill. Bristol City reported losses of £28.5m for the 2021-22 season in November.

"The interesting thing is they'll all be offered less than they're on now. That's where we are," Pearson continued.

"Nahki's very happy to re-sign and I'm delighted that he's decided to stay with us.

"There are a number of players still that we haven't made decisions on. We're trying to look forward and plan forward."

Bristol City next face West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on Boxing Day.

They are 18th in the table and have only won three of their last 10 matches.

"I understand people's frustrations that we take a step forward then we take a step back," Pearson added.

"The narrative that needs to come out of our football club is looking at what the bigger picture is."