Randell hoping to fulfil his Premier League dream with City

THE summer transfer window is always a period of slight uncertainty for footballers, with deals completed in just a matter of days forcing players across countries and continents.

- Dan CARTER

For Bristol City’s Adam Randell, however, the last few months have been a new experience, as the 24-year-old traded his boyhood club for the Robins.

Having come through Plymouth Argyle’s youth ranks, the closest Randell had ever come to leaving Home Park prior to this summer was a season-long loan spell with National League side Torquay United.

After an impressive stint under the management of former Reds boss Gary Johnson at Plainmoor, the midfielder forced his way into the first team fold at the Devon outfit, playing an important role in the Pilgrims’ promotion from League One before helping the Greens avoid relegation from the Championship in the 2023-24 season.

However, after Argyle’s two-year stint in the second tier came to an end, Randell realised the time had come for him to take the next step in his career as he looked to realise his dream of reaching the Premier League. For him, there was only one club on his mind.

“It was never going to be an easy decision to leave,’ Randell said at the High Performance Centre. “For me, the only thing that was on my mind was that I've always wanted to play at the highest level possible, and for me, this is the next step to get there.

“That's something I want to achieve. I want to play in the Premier League, that’s one of my aspirations. I feel like the timing of it worked for me to move on to something new and to hopefully achieve that goal.

“From the outside, it’s a fantastic club, and from the inside now as well, obviously. But from the outset, it was always going to be Bristol City if they came calling, and thankfully, they did.

“It’s also not too far from home. Obviously, Plymouth's a million miles away from everywhere, but it was an easy decision to make as soon as they were interested. It was only going to be here.”