Robins recruit McNally as new chapter opens for player
Enfield man's international prospects helped by move
Luke McNally is on the move once again as the transfer deadline fast approaches.
The Enfield man has, it was revealed earlier today, signed for Bristol City for an undisclosed sum.
"There seems to be a good buzz around the club at the minute and hopefully I can help with that," said McNally about his new club.
The centre-half has signed a two-year deal at Ashton Gate and it could provide him with the opportunity he needs to get regular first-team football and put him in the frame for a call-up to senior international duty. That, at least, should be the objective. He is, after all, just 24.
In his relatively brief time in English football McNally has been associated with several clubs including Oxford Utd, Stoke City, Coventry City, Burnley and now Bristol City
As a youngster he grew up playing for Enfield Celtic. He was signed originally by Drogheda United before he moved to St Patrick's Athletic.
He returned to Drogheda on a loan deal when Timmy Clancy was manager before going back to play for St Pat's.
McNally's chance to play full-time in England arrived when Oxford United signed him in 2021 for an undisclosed fee.
A year later McNally, who has played for Ireland at u-19 level, joined Burnley for what was understood to be in the region of £2 million soon after Dutch legend Vincent Kompany - who knows a thing or two about life as a centre-back - took over as the manager at Turf Moor.
McNally has had loan spells at Stoke and Coventry City but had returned to Burnley and looked set to be part of their Championship squad this season - until Bristol City sought to bring him on board.
“He has all the attributes you would want in a defender, and we are pleased he is joining us," said Bristol City's young manager Liam Manning.
It's a new adventure for McNally who will wear the number 15 jersey.
McNally will be joining up with Max O'Leary at Ashton Gate. This week O'Leary was included in Heimer Helgrimsson's squad for forthcoming games against England and Greece. He was named as one of the goalkeepers along with Mark Travers and Caoimhin Kelleher.