Bristol City have confirmed Danny Simpson has left the club by mutual consent having fallen out of favour under Nigel Pearson.
The veteran right-back joined Ashton Gate just shy of a year ago on a free transfer but he has been limited to just two Championship starts this season with his last appearance coming in the 3-0 defeat to West Brom last October.
Manager Pearson remained bullish on Simpson's future both on Thursday and Saturday after making it clear he has no future at the club. The response came after he was quizzed whether the player could play a part to help solve ongoing issues in the right wing-back position which has been an ongoing problem for the manager.
Following the 2-1 defeat at home to Birmingham, Pearson responded on Simpson: "I'm not considering him. I’m looking at who’s going to be here next year. I don’t intend on making short-term decisions for us at the moment."
On Thursday, during his press conference, he said: "Danny has had a frustrating season on a personal level for him, it’s life."
The club then announced this morning that Simpson will now "explore options away from BS3" after revealing his departure.
A full statement posted on the club's official site read: "Danny Simpson has left City after his contract was ended by mutual agreement.
"Simpson joined the Robins 12 months ago having won promotion from the Championship on three occasions with Sunderland, Newcastle United and QPR as well as a Premier League winners’ medal with Leicester City.
"Injury restricted him to four appearances in the 2020/21 season and he has made a further four this season. The club wishes Danny well for the future as he explores options away from BS3."
Simpson was Pearson’s first signing as City manager after joining on a short-term deal in March last year, with the motive being the full-back’s vast experience could help in mentoring the young talent coming through at Ashton Gate.
After agreeing a one-year contract last summer, the Premier League title winner started the season in competition with Zak Vyner for the right-back berth but after George Tanner’s arrival at the end of August he slowly slipped down the pecking order.
That performance at West Brom proved his nadir as a woeful backpass was picked off by Karlan Grant to seal a comprehensive victory for the Baggies and since that night he’s appeared in just seven matchday squads without making an appearance.
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