Brownhill Agrees City Switch

Brownhill is out of contract this summer and was reportedly offered a new deal by his former employers, meaning City have had to negotiate a compensation fee to secure the signature of the 20-year-old.

The youngster spent the second half of last season on loan at Barnsley, having signed under Lee Johnson in January, and played the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s Sky Bet League One play-off final as the Tykes ran out 3-1 victors over Millwall to reclaim their place in the Championship.

Brownhill made a total of 27 appearances at Oakwell, including another Wembley win in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Oxford United.

City head coach Johnson said: “Josh is a young, hungry, sought-after player who is experienced beyond his years in modern day football, and we’ve beaten off competition from other clubs to get him.

“On a human level, as well as being a good footballer he’s also a fantastic character – one of the nicest guys you could meet – and he’s very determined to do well for Bristol City.”

The former Manchester United schoolboy spent nine years on the books at Old Trafford, before his release aged 16 prompted the move to Preston.

Warrington-born Brownhill made his first team debut for the Lilywhites as a 17-year-old and scored three goals in his breakthrough season of 2013/14 – including a stunning strike from distance at the end of a 13-pass move to secure the club’s Goal of the Year award.

Brownhill, also a Young Player of the Year and Scholar of the Year in his time at Deepdale, made 28 appearances in 2014/15 as Preston joined City in the automatic promotion places to reach the Championship.

He played a total of 64 games for North End, scoring six goals.