Bristol City have made Rob Dickie their first signing of the summer with the centre-back joining from QPR for a total package worth just over £1 million.
Dickie was announced by the Robins on Monday afternoon having undergone a medical at the High Performance Centre earlier in the day and is the first new face through the door of what could be a pivotal transfer window for Nigel Pearson as he looks to turn the Robins into credible play-off challengers in 2023/24.
Dickie has signed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months and becomes a Robin just two days after getting married.
The 27-year-old was approaching the final year of his contract at Loftus Road and City have made an opportunistic and effective move to force QPR’s hand, as their Championship rivals otherwise risked losing Dickie for free next summer.
Dickie has made 129 appearances at Championship level and was being discussed as a potential Premier League player 12 months ago before experiencing a challenging campaign in 2022/23 as the Rs were threatened with relegation.
“It’s been exciting! I got married on Saturday, which was a proud day for myself and my family, and I came here this morning to sign and make it another proud day,“ Dickie told bcfc.co.uk. "As soon as Bristol City showed interest, I was keen on the move.
"Having spoken to various people here, the club have shown real ambition for the season ahead.
“I’ve had a brief look at the squad. There is a really good blend of youth as well as experienced players and, with the Championship experience I’ve got, I feel as though I can really add to that and bolster the squad.”
The move to the West Country reunites him with his former Oxford United colleague Rob Atkinson, who is continuing to recover from an ACL injury, although the two never played together for the Us.
Dickie’s arrival provides Pearson with much-needed reinforcements in defence as with Atkinson’s absence and Tomas Kalas’ ongoing contract discussions, which could lead to the Czech leaving on a free at the end of the month, Zak Vyner is City’s only fit, senior central defender.
The signing of Dickie should be followed by Ross McCrorie from Aberdeen with the midfielder/defender having flown to Bristol on Monday to undergo a medical at the HPC on Tuesday ahead of his switch from Aberdeen.
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