Gary Johnson has cited Nicky Maynard's "fantastic potential" as the reason for splashing out a club record fee of £2.25m to bring the striker to Ashton Gate.

The 21-year-old was paraded as the club's second summer signing today after agreeing a four-year deal to complete a move from League One side Crewe Alexandra.

 World TV: Nicky Maynard video exclusive
 World TV: Gary Johnson video exclusive
 World TV: Steve Lansdown video exclusive

Nicky will make his City debut in tomorrow night's pre-season match against Royal Antwerp at Ashton Gate and his new manager can't wait to see his new striker in action.

Gary told Bristol City World: "He's exactly the type of player we've been looking very hard to bring in.

"He was one of the first ones the chairman allowed me to make an offer for and Crewe priced him out of the market at that time. But we had the opportunity to go back in for him and it's a fantastic signing for us.

"The chairman has backed me all they way and I thank him for that. I promise nothing will go wrong with this one," the boss added, referencing the proposed moves for Emad Meteb and Michael Mifsud that fell away.

He continued: "The lad has fantastic potential and is determined to get to the Premier League with us.

"I've had a chat with him and he's a real football person. He came down with his mum, who takes a keen interest in his football.

"The lad's really looking forward to playing and it has been a breath of fresh air to be honest. He's heading back to Crewe tonight to get his boots before heading straight back down to Bristol. He'll meet the lads in the morning and then play against Antwerp tomorrow evening."

Gary concluded: "I spoke to Dario Gradi and Steve Holland at Crewe and they are gutted to see him go, although they expected it.

"They wanted him to go to a club that likes to play good football. They've nurtured him fantastically well over the years and recommended him to us, and us to him as long as we could match the fee they wanted."

Referencing the fee, chairman Steve Lansdown told Bristol City World: "I think Nicky Maynard represents a fantastic investment for this football club.

"He gives us that extra quality up front that we've been seeking to add to the squad and I'm looking forward to seeing him play now.

"It shows ambition and development. We're looking to build a squad to compete at the top level. We're bringing good young players in and that excites me."

Steve added with a smile: "The £2.25m fee smashes the previous record and I'm not expecting it to be broken again for a while!

"The point is you have to pay for quality and that's what I think we've done. It's a big figure for this football club but it just shows where we've come from and where we are going."