Football Benarous 'excited' by 'new chapter' in his career at Plymouth

AYMAN Benarous has lifted the lid on his injury woes and decision to leave Bristol City, with the attacking midfielder joining Plymouth Argyle after being released by the Robins at the end of last season.

- Dan CARTER [e-mail]

Having joined City's youth system at the age of eight, Benarous broke into the City first team under the management of Nigel Pearson in the 2021-22 campaign.

The then-teenager won over the BS3 crowd with a series of bright, energetic performances, the most memorable of which arguably came against Blackburn Rovers when he kicked Ben Brereton Diaz's boot away, moments after beating a player much taller to a header inside the opposition penalty area.

The versatile attacking midfielder went on to make 12 appearances that season, earning a new three-year deal in February 2022. However, not long after the contract was signed, Benarous suffered the first of two successive ACL injuries. Those injuries, and a series of other setbacks, have meant the 21-year-old hasn’t made a competitive appearance in more than three years.

Although he always remained publicly upbeat as he looked to return to full fitness, something former boss Liam Manning mentioned before he departed for Norwich City, it was an incredibly difficult period for the young midfielder.