City Secure Ekstrand Deal

The 27-year-old has signed a one-year contract after spending the past five weeks on trial at Ashton Gate.

Ekstrand moves to City on a free transfer after his contract at Watford expired in the summer.

Head coach Lee Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: “Joel is a top player, full of Sky Bet Championship experience.

“We have had him in training with us and have assessed his old injury. Myself and my staff are confident he will be an excellent signing for the club.”

Ekstrand began his career with Helsingborgs in his native Sweden before joining Italian club Udinese in 2011.

After a season-long loan spell at Watford a year later, Ekstrand signed permanently for the Hornets in 2013.

He went on to make 64 appearances for Watford, but could have played many more times had it not been for a cruciate ligament injury suffered in March 2015.

Now fully recovered and after a successful trial in BS3, Ekstrand has become the club’s 13th signing of the summer.

He also boasts two caps for his country, just like fellow Swedish recruit Gustav Engvall who moved to Ashton Gate on deadline day.