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Yah starts, Pring returns, Twine 100th appearance

Emil Riis has joined League One Leicester City for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old joined City in June 2025 and ended last season as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals and three assists in all competitions.

A near ever-present last season, Riis scored his first career hat-trick against Watford in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.

Sporting Director James Ellis said: “Emil has been an excellent professional in his time at Bristol City and has scored some very important goals.

“As I have mentioned before, there are tough decisions to be made as we build the squad and, with the new attacking additions we have, we feel this is the right move for Emil and the club.

“He will have an opportunity to play regularly at a club looking to get back to the Championship and he deserves that.”

The club would like to thank Emil for his contribution in a City shirt and wish him all the very best for the future.

City have signed Brian De Keersmaecker on a season-long loan from Oxford United, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 26-year-old Belgian midfielder becomes City’s 11th signing of the summer and arrived BS3 at the end of a busy transfer window for the Robins.

Manager Michael Skubala said: “We are pleased to add depth to our midfield and Brian will add that as well as quality.

“He also knows where the back of the net is and we are looking forward to working with him.”

De Keersmaecker joined Oxford in July 2025 from captaining Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo and played 28 times for the U’s.

Sporting Director James Ellis said: “Brian is a quality midfielder who has a lot of experience in Holland and last season with Oxford United in the Championship.

“He will give us more options in the centre of the pitch and help us with our squad depth and create some more versatility.

“We have been aggressive with our signings, with the vast majority done early in the window, and in our final sequence this opportunity has arisen for a player we have tracked for a long time.

“We are very grateful to Oxford and their management team for helping us get this one completed.”

De Keersmaecker will link up with his new team-mates on their return from the 3-1 win over Preston North End and ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

“I had the conversation with the manager two months ago and he explained the plan. He really convinced me and I cannot wait to get started,” said De Keersmaecker.

“I like to dictate a game and making sure the players around me are doing better by being vocal and aggressive as well.”

City have signed centre forward Dom Ballard on a four-year deal from League One side Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee.

Ballard is Michael Skubala’s eighth summer signing and joins after an impressive season at the O’s, where he scored 23 goals and contributed five assists in all competitions.

A standout across League One, Ballard collected a trio of awards as he was named Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season and was included in the Team of the Year at the EFL Awards.

Scoring a hat-trick of hat-tricks in the season, Ballard was named as the EFL League One Player of the Month for January and March and also won Sky Bet League One’s Golden Boot and the EFL’s Red Boot.

Ballard said: “I am really excited to get going and joining a big club like Bristol City. It is a club where I feel like I can really develop. I spoke to the gaffer and we are aligned on what he wants me to do so there are a lot of positives.

“Last year was unbelievable. I knew I was capable but to go out there and do it was big for me – especially as it was my third year in League One so I felt like it was time for me to push on.

“I want to be a Premier League player and the club wants to be a Premier League team, so the drive is there to do that.”

Joining Southampton at eight years old, the forward enjoyed 12 successful years as a Saint, rising through the ranks and excelling for their Under-18s and Under-21s.

Ballard made his professional debut for his boyhood club in August 2022 and hit the ground running with a debut goal against Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup.

While at St Mary’s, the 21-year-old made four appearances in total and also developed with loan spells at Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United.

Internationally, the Surrey-born player has represented England at youth level, scoring nine goals in 20 appearances.

MOTIVATED

Manager Michael Skubala said: “We’re delighted to add Dom to our squad and we’re excited to see how he grows and what he can bring to our group.

“He performed exceptionally well last season and he’s a motivated and hard-working player. We feel this is a great opportunity for him to grow and develop with us and to fulfil his potential.”

FRONT-LINE OPTIONS

Sporting Director James Ellis added: “It’s brilliant to welcome Dom to Bristol City. To add more depth and quality to this area of the pitch is another step in the right direction for us.

“Along with our other front-line players, we now have options for Michael and his staff to have different approaches and selections where required in what will be a highly competitive season.

“Dom is only 21 years old and already has a proven record of scoring goals. He has a big future ahead of him and we’re and we’re excited to see how he develops over the coming years.”