Why I'm Joining City - O'Dowda

Thursday, July 14th 2016

Callum O’Dowda says City’s ambition is the reason behind his switch to Ashton Gate.

The winger has become Bristol City’s fifth summer signing after joining from Oxford United for an undisclosed fee.

O’Dowda leaves behind his hometown club to pen a three-year deal in BS3, and immediately spoke of his desire to play at the highest level.

“It’s a massive club and a big step up for me personally,” O’Dowda told Bristol City Player HD in an exclusive interview.

“I’ve spoken to the head coach and there’s no doubt in my mind that this is the club I want to be at.

“I want to be playing in the Championship and to help the team to achieve promotion; that’s certainly the ambition set out from the gaffer and the chairman.

“I’m just looking forward to meeting all the players now and getting out on to the pitch.

“I’ll always put in 100 per cent and work hard every day to help the team because I want to play as high as possible.”

O’Dowda helped Oxford secure automatic promotion in May before earning his senior international debut for Republic of Ireland weeks later.

“It’s been a massive year for me personally,” added O’Dowda.

“Winning promotion with Oxford was just a dream come true really. I was there since the age of eight.

“It’s been fantastic playing for the club. The fans, the players; everything about the club is great and I can’t thank them enough.

“I’ve also got called up for Republic of Ireland after initially being placed into a preliminary squad. Now this move to Bristol City tops it off.”

O’Dowda added: “I’m a very fast, technical winger. I can pitch in with goals too; I scored 12 in total last season.

“I’ve been playing predominantly for Oxford on the left but I’ve also operated from the right and up front.”

O’Dowda is poised to pull on a City shirt for the first time at Yeovil Town on Saturday, before travelling with the squad to La Manga for the pre-season training camp.