Bristol City pulled off a bona fide transfer coup on Friday night with the arrival of versatile defender Kal Naismith on a free transfer after Luton Town were unable to agree fresh terms with the Scot.
Naismith moves to BS3 as Luton’s reigning Player of the Year and a key reason why they upset the odds to finish inside the play-off places before losing to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
City become his sixth permanent club and reunites him with former Wigan Athletic teammate Joe Williams who, as Naismith revealed, played a key role in convincing him to move to the West Country.
"Joe has been on to me for a while now, he wanted me to get it done - he’s asking me to come down. As everyone knows Joe is a great lad and an unbelievable player who will be a massive player for the club,” Naismith told Robins TV. "I know he struggled with injury but it was great to see him last year get as fit as he did and play as many games as he did.
“I'm looking forward to being back with Joe, he's a winner, he’s desperate to win, and very passionate - he's the sort of player you need a club to be successful."
The 30-year-old ticks a number of boxes for Nigel Pearson in terms of overall defensive acumen, ball-playing ability and the fact that he can cover multiple positions, from centre-back to left-back even further up the pitch as an auxiliary winger.
The Rangers academy graduate covered three positions for Luton for last season, predominantly as a left-sided centre-back which puts him in an area of the pitch alongside Rob Atkinson, Duncan Idehen and potentially Timm Klose, should the Swiss agree new terms. Albeit Naismith’s arrival casting potential doubt over the veteran returning.
“I can play any position, I just love being on the pitch. My best position will be centre-half, that’s a position I’m really comfortable in and I love to play in and where I see myself playing in at the club,” Naismith added.
“At the same time, the manager will know very quickly wherever he needs me for the team - whether it be on the bench, in midfield or in defence - whatever he needs me to do I’m here to work for him and the club and give my best.”
Williams’ unique personal touch has undoubtedly played a role in convincing Naismith his long-term future lies at Ashton Gate, but the Scot also pointed to the influence of Pearson in convincing him of his vision for the Robins.
It’s a tag that irks the manager but we are now into the second year of his three-year contract which, in all but name, is a project to restore City to becoming a regular play-off challenging team and signings of the calibre of Naismith, from a Championship rival, undoubtedly puts the club in the best position to get there.
“The facilities are incredible, there’s no getting away from that, but what attracted me to come here was the manager, the players and the fanbase,” Naismith said.
“We’ve got one of the best, if not the best managers in the league, he’s done absolutely everything in the game. There’s everything here for it to be a successful club on the pitch and, ultimately, that’s up to the players to give everything every day, never go through the motions and to try to get better, day-in, day-out.
“The High Performance Centre is a massive bonus and I’ll love driving through the gates every day to come to work here, and give it my all but ultimately I want to be at a club that wants to move in the right direction, that wants to win, wants to go and get promoted, and that was my main reason.
“I’ll never ever take this for granted, it’s incredible, but I wanted to be somewhere where we can create a winning environment.
“I want to make as much of an impact on the pitch and off the pitch; I love being a part of the city. If I can help young lads, I believe I can add to the lads on and off the pitch.”
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