Australian Defender Joins Bristol City

The 24-year-old joins the club from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee, penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, with a further year option.

He successfully passed a medical before training with his team-mates ahead of the Emirates FA Cup clash with Fleetwood Town at Ashton Gate, where he could now make his debut.

Head coach Lee Johnson said: “Bailey has a warrior spirit and represents a good signing for us.

“He’s 24 and has great Championship experience; he’s a tough, Australian international – he’s an old-fashioned stopper.

“Jamie McAllister (Under-23 coach) was with him at Preston and only had good things to say about him.”

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Wright joined Preston’s youth setup after a year in the Victoria Institute of Sport.

Wright’s senior debut came in 2010/11 and he was soon rewarded with a first professional contract.

Voted Young Player of the Season in 2012/13, Wright continued to be a mainstay in the Lilywhites defence.

Then in 2014/15 he was part of the Preston team that won promotion via the League One play-offs after a protracted battle with eventual champions City.

Wright scored on his debut for Australia, a header against Saudi Arabia at Craven Cottage. He has been capped 12 times by his country and went to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.