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Chris Brunt: Bristol City sign veteran ex-Northern Ireland international plus Steven Sessegnon on loan


Chris Brunt applauds West Brom fans
Chris Brunt had been linked to a reunion with his old Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill at Stoke

Bristol City have signed veteran former Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt on a one-year contract.

The 35-year-old left-sided midfielder was released by fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Right-back Steven Sessegnon has also joined the Robins on a season-long loan from Premier League club Fulham.

The arrivals of Brunt and Sessegnon take City boss Dean Holden’s tally of summer signings to five.

Holden has also signed Wigan Athletic midfielder Joe Williams, Derby County striker Chris Martin and Fulham defender Alfie Mawson.

Brunt began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Sheffield Wednesday.

He then spent 13 seasons with Albion, three times helping them win promotion to the Premier League.

“Chris is going to be very useful to us on and off the field,” said Holden. “He’s technically very good, with an accurate pass, and is a leader with a strong voice who will be a great teacher to the younger players.”

On England Under-21 international Sessegnon, 20, Holden said: “We have been tracking Steven for a while and we are excited about what he will bring to the squad. He will fit into the way we want to play and give us an attacking option down the right side.”

Brunt, who has scored 72 goals in his 574 club appearances, also netted four times in 65 games for Northern Ireland after making his debut against Switzerland in 2004. He retired from international football in 2018 after missing out on the World Cup.

He was strongly linked to a reunion with his old Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill at Stoke City earlier in the year, but opted to see out the season at Albion.

City, who parted company with previous boss Lee Johnson after falling away in lockdown to finish 12th last season, get going again this Saturday with a home game against promoted Coventry City.



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