Adam Matthews Joins City On Loan

The 24-year-old joins from Sunderland until May 8^th, with the Premier League side including a recall clause in the emergency loan deal.

Head coach Lee Johnson said: “He’s a quality, young signing who is hungry to play.

“He moved to Sunderland for £2m and hasn’t got in the team enough, so he’s keen to come here and prove himself.

“People may think ‘why do we need another right-back?’ It’s a number of things really. We’re in the market for good players and that’s what Adam is.

“He’s quick with good technique. The risk and reward with any loan is how quickly you can get the player up to speed and get them integrated to the group.

“It gives us the ability to move Luke Ayling into central midfield if we want, which is the position where he began. And we’re still looking in other areas.”

The 12-cap Wales international is a right-back who began his career across the Severn Bridge at Cardiff City, with whom he went on to make 48 appearances, scoring one goal.

Celtic took Matthews on a free transfer in 2011 where the Welshman won four consecutive Scottish Premier League titles, as well as Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup medals in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Matthews also bolstered his experience playing in the Champions League and Europa League with the Glasgow club.

A £2m switch to Sunderland took place in the summer but a couple of ankle injuries left him with only two first-team appearances to date.

The defender made his international debut in 2011 against Scotland and will have outside hopes of joining the Welsh squad at this summer’s European Championships in France if his City loan proves successful.

Matthews goes straight into the squad for tomorrow night’s Sky Bet Championship clash at Wolves and has been given squad number 26.