Seb Naylor, one of the standout talents from Manchester City’s academy, has joined Bristol City in the Championship on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The 20-year-old signed with the club after spending 12 years at Manchester City, where he celebrated victory in the FA Youth Cup during the 2023/24 season, just two years after officially signing his scholarship agreement.
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Having made a mark in the Under-18s, Naylor advanced to the Elite Development Squad in 2024, making 19 appearances in a season that saw Manchester City clinch the Premier League 2 title, finishing ahead of rivals Fulham and Chelsea.
In the current season, he played 10 matches for City’s Under-21 team alongside other promising players like Stephen Mfuni, Mahamadou Sangare, and Justin Oboavwoduo. Naylor is eager to gain first-team experience at Bristol City, where he is seen as a valuable addition to the squad.
He shared his departure on Instagram, posting a series of photos that included one from his first contract signing at age eight, another of him with the FA Youth Trophy, and one with Guardiola at the training ground.
In his post, he expressed: “After 14 years at this amazing club, it’s time for me to move on. I will be forever grateful to the club, staff, and players for helping me become the person and player I am today.
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“I’ve made lifelong friends and cherished experiences that have made this journey special. Thank you @mancity.”
Bristol City, currently sitting ninth in the Championship, will have Naylor don the number 24 jersey. He shared his enthusiasm for joining the club on their official website, stating, “Everyone has made me feel so welcome; it feels like a home here.
“The lads are great, and I had a good discussion with the manager yesterday. I’m looking forward to getting on the training pitch with him.”
Bristol City’s technical director Brian Tinnon remarked, “Seb is an exciting young talent, and we are eager to see his development over the coming years. He possesses all the qualities we seek in a player and has the right attitude and determination to integrate into our squad.”