Former Bristol City striker Nahki Wells has revealed the reason for his departure from Ashton Gate this summer.
The experienced striker spent five years with the Robins after joining from Burnley in 2020.
In over 200 appearances for the club, Wells scored 48 times, including helping Bristol City to their play-off campaign last season by contributing 10 Championship goals in 39 games.
The Bermudian international has now joined League One side Luton Town upon the expiry of his contract in Bristol.
It’s been a weird summer at Ashton Gate, with former manager Liam Manning departing for Championship rivals Norwich City, and being replaced by former Barnsley manager and Austrian Gerhard Struber.
Nahki Wells Opening up on His Experience
Speaking to the One Stream in Bristol podcast, Wells stated:
“I was told that I would be offered something, and then the next phone call I got a few days before the start of preseason was just that I’m not getting offered anything.
“It was a very upsetting summer for myself in that sense, because I never envisioned that. I never expected that to be the case. To not have been afforded an opportunity to stay at the club in any degree was one that was like being stabbed in the heart.
“I was told I would be offered something from a certain individual at the football club to then not hear from them for six weeks. A new manager comes in, as soon as he’s announced, I got the call that I’m not needed and he and they want to go a different route.”
Thankful For His Five Years
Despite being disappointed at not being offered a new contract, the 35-year-old expressed his gratitude towards the club:
“I’m extremely grateful to everybody, and for somebody who was an expensive purchase who didn’t always perform as well as I’m capable of more regularly, to have always been loved and supported while I was at the club, I’m just forever grateful to the City supporters.
“Everyone in and around that football club, I have so much love and admiration for.
“I’ve got some friends and relationships which I’ll have for a lifetime that I’m forever grateful for, and like I said, Bristol is home.”
Writer’s View
In what has been a chaotic summer at the club, it’s obvious that new manager Struber was the main reason for Wells’ departure. Despite his age, Wells was the club’s top scorer last season, but the club obviously feel like they can do better in the forward department this summer.
As a result, Luton have profited, able to pick up a natural goalscorer at a bargain price, and look one of the early favourites to win promotion back to the second tier this season.
