Baker completes City switch

The 26-year-old returns to the club where he spent time on loan in 2015/16, making 38 appearances and scoring once.

He has penned a four-year contract at Ashton Gate to further strengthen the squad ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Head coach Lee Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: “Nathan is a quality signing. He’s a very good defender who is held in high regard.

“Nathan knows all about Bristol City, having been here before, and we now have strong competition for places in defence.

“Nathan has played in the Premier League before and is still only 26. We’re absolutely delighted to have signed a player of his quality.”

Baker had been with Villa since the age of 13, rising through the club’s Academy to make the first team squad in 2008.

He spent time on loan at Lincoln City and Millwall, making his first start for Villa in between the two temporary moves in January 2011 against Wigan Athletic.

On September 1st 2015, Baker joined newly-promoted City on loan for the season and was a regular in the team.

Baker also represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level.

The defender will begin the 2017/18 campaign serving a one-match suspension, following a red card for Villa on the final day of last season, meaning the first league game his is eligible to play for City will be against – ironically – Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday, August 12th.