New contract for O'Leary

Tuesday, September 29th 2020

Max O’Leary has agreed a new three-year contract, with a one-year option, as he commits himself to the Robins until 2023.

The goalkeeper has made two appearances this season, both in the Carabao Cup as he helped City reach Round Three of the knockout competition after returning to the first team following last season’s loan spell with Shrewsbury Town.

O’Leary, 23, is a graduate of the club’s Academy, with 20 first-team appearances in all since making his debut in January 2016.

City Chief Executive Officer Mark Ashton said: “Max has a bright future and this new contract is his reward for his hard work to date. He has shown the character and patience required to be a goalkeeper and I am confident we will see more big things from him over the next few seasons.”

Robins Head Coach Dean Holden said: “I’m delighted for Max who is a great professional on and off the pitch. He’s still young, he’s still learning and you can see the hunger and the drive that he has in training every single day. He has benefitted from his loan spells in recent years, he’s fully deserving of his new contract and I’m really excited for his future.”

Having risen through the Academy age groups, O’Leary went to Kidderminster Harriers in his first loan move in 2016, before spells at Bath City, Solihull Moors and last season’s run with Shrewsbury Town. The shot-stopper helped the League One side earn an FA Cup replay against would-be Premier League champions Liverpool, producing a fine display though the Shrews narrowly lost out at Anfield earlier this year.

O’Leary had made his City debut in January 2016 when he came on at half-time in City’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with West Brom. He earned his first Robins start in the replay later that month. The goalkeeper would go on to feature 16 times for the first team during the 2018/19 season, making an impressive Sky Bet Championship debut in a 1-0 away win against Brentford.