Bristol City have agreed to sign Oxford City talent Ewan Clark following his breakthrough campaign for the National League South side.
The 19-year-old will join City's Under-23 side for the upcoming campaign with the Robins bolstering their youth set-up after reaching the final of the Professional Development League last month. Although an exact fee is unknown, Bristol Live understands it's five figures.
Clark, a right winger, made his debut for Oxford City as a substitute in January and became an important member of the team during the second half of the season making 15 appearances and scoring two goals as they finished the campaign in fifth.
Academy director Brian Tinnion said of the move: "Ewan has made good progress at Oxford City and I'm delighted that we have come to an agreement with them. He is an exciting young talent and will be a great addition to our Academy programme."
He joined his local club following his release from Watford in March 2021 and juggled his time playing while being a part of Oxford's educational academy Velocity Football - a full-time educational academy for 16 to 23-year-olds and is considered a success story to emerge into the first-team reckoning.
Clark is the latest arrival to City's academy following in the footsteps of Guernsey pair Ben Acey and striker Tim Ap Sion, both of whom were announced last month.
In an interview with Oxford Mail in January, Clark revealed his desire to keep working hard in the hope of turning professional. He said: "You have to be very honest with yourself and work as hard as you can if you’re going to chase the dream of playing professionally.
“Leaving Watford was a blow, but I kept working hard and moving forwards.
“The opportunities I’ve had with Oxford City this season have been excellent for my development. I’m purely focused on turning professional – I feel considering other options right now wouldn’t allow me to put 100 per cent into my game."
Meanwhile, Ryley Towler could be heading out on loan with six clubs chasing his signature. Football Insider claims Lincoln, Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Morecambe, Salford and Tranmere are all looking into the possibility of agreeing a temporary switch.
Towler has had three loan spells since coming through the youth ranks at Frome Town, Taunton and most recently National League side Grimsby at the beginning of last season. He made 14 appearances in total for the Mariners and impressed in their backline before being recalled to City in December.
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