Future Is Bright - Matthews

The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful temporary spell at the club at the back end of the 2015/16 campaign, and returns on a season-long loan from Sunderland.

The former Celtic right-back had been linked with a permanent move to BS3 but insists he would have been pleased returning to Ashton Gate under any length of contract.

“I’m happy to be here on loan or permanently,” he told Bristol City Player HD.

“I figured out early on I wasn’t in Sunderland’s plans. I would’ve liked a fair crack up there but it wasn’t to be, and when Bristol City were interested I bit their hand off at the chance to come back as I enjoyed it so much last season.

“I’m looking forward to it. We’ve been talking about the move for a while now so it’s good to get it done.

"Hopefully I can hit the ground running like I did last time.”

Matthews is City’s sixth summer signing for the first team following the arrivals of Josh Brownhill, Gary O’Neil, Lee Tomlin, Hordur Magnusson ad Callum O’Dowda.

The incomings have given supporters a fresh air of optimism ahead of the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship season, something which City’s latest recruit also shares.

“The future looks really bright,” Matthews said.

“We’ve signed some really good players and we’ll give it a good go this season, get as high up the table as we can and hopefully sneak in the play-offs.

"We know it’s going to be a tough season, especially with the teams that came down from the Premier League, but I’m sure if we play most of the games like we did last season then we’ll be fine.”

Matthews is likely to appear in Saturday’s final pre-season friendly against Portsmouth at Ashton Gate.

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