‘I never wanted to leave’ – Weimann

The 29-year-old has penned a new three-year deal, extending his stay in BS3 until summer 2024.

Having returned to full fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee during the last campaign, Weimann is looking forward to getting back to competitive football, playing in front of City supporters and repaying the faith shown in him by the club and manager.

“I’m delighted and I can’t wait to get started again,” Weimann said.

“I missed most of last season through injury so for the gaffer and club to show their faith in me with a three-year deal was a big pull.  

“The manager from the first day he came in said he wanted to work with me, and he hoped I could stay. We had a few phone calls in the last few weeks, and he’s shown me that belief and the contract length proves that - hopefully I can repay that to him.

“I never wanted to leave in the first place. Since I signed three-years ago I’ve loved it here. Obviously until I got injured, I’ve played pretty much every game and it feels like my home and I get along with everyone in and around the club.

“I can’t wait [to play in front of the fans]. It’s been a year and a half now that we’ve not had fans in the stadium. It shows how good the support is if we have sold over 12,000 Season Cards, especially as we didn’t have the best season last year, but we can’t wait to see them.”

Reflecting on his time on the sidelines, Weimann labelled it as “very tough” but the hard work and effort required to return to his physical physique has put him in good stead as he prepares for the 2021/22 season.  

“Last season was very tough and touchwood, it was my only bad injury,” he continued. “It took just under six months until I could train with the team again so it was a long wait, but I worked really hard to get to that place, to be fit and I can’t wait to start again and put it all behind me.

“Training with the team for the last two weeks of last season was very big for me and exciting. Because I was fully fit when the season ended, my off-season programme was the same intensity as the other lads, but for me personally, I didn’t want to stop as I had about six sessions and then it was the end of the season with five weeks off. I carried on my own work and feel really fit at the minute.

“I am excited to see all the boys again because at the end of last season I didn’t know if I was coming back or not, so I am glad to see them all again and I am looking forward to it.

“Personally, I want to carry on like I did before my injury – play as many games as I can and help the club on and off the field. I still want to get to the Premier League, that’s still my goal and hopefully I can achieve that here.”