Ivan the great comes to Bristol City.

FLYING WINGER LANDS AT GATE

10:40 - 28 June 2007

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson today landed flying winger Ivan Sproule on a three-year deal and described his latest signing as "the fastest thing in Championship football".

The 26-year-old Ulsterman signed for City after the Robins agreed an undisclosed fee with Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

And Johnson expressed delight at finally capturing a player he has been tracking for several months.
He revealed: "I've been up to Scotland to watch him a few times and we made a cheeky bid for him at the end of last season.

"I'm delighted we've finally worked things out and I'm sure we've done a deal that is good for the player and good for the club.

"Our supporters will not know much about Ivan, but I can tell them he is very, very quick. In fact, he's probably the fastest thing you'll see in the Championship next season.

"He's a dynamic footballer and is very passionate about the game. He can play on the right, on the left or up front and he ticks all the boxes for me."

Sproule met with Johnson and City chairman Steve Lansdown yesterday and passed a medical at Ashton Gate before signing his new contract.

And the Northern Ireland international is clearly excited by recent events. "Things have moved very quickly for me since I joined Hibernian," said Sproule, who signed on at Easter Road in 2005.

"I broke into the Northern Ireland team and played when we beat England in a World Cup qualifier, and I made a bit of a name for myself in the Scottish Premier League.

"My wife is expecting a baby and now I'm joining Bristol City to play in the English Championship.

"I'm very, very excited and there is so much for me to get my head around.

"City are a club on the up and I'm convinced playing down here will help my international career."

He added: "I've been impressed with Gary Johnson and I know I can learn a lot from someone like him. I've learned my trade in Scotland and this is the right move for me at the right time."

Sproule developed a reputation as a crowd-pleaser during his time in Scotland and he admitted: "I like to entertain people. People talk about my pace and that is probably my main attribute.

"But I also like to score goals and try to put a smile on people's faces. I built a good relationship with the fans at Hibs and I'm looking forward to doing the same now I'm a Bristol City player."

Sproule flew back to Edinburgh from Bristol Airport this morning but will be back with his wife when City players report for pre-season training on Monday.

His arrival further increases competition in a squad that already includes four wingers in the shape of Scott Murray, Kevin Betsy, Brian Wilson and Jennison Myrie-Williams.

Johnson is still on the lookout for a striker and is expected to make further signings before the Championship campaign kicks off on August 11.

He said: "It's a case of the more the merrier. We only have 18 senior professionals at the moment and we will need a bigger squad for Championship football.

"It's always nice to get the first signing in. I'm pleased we've finally reached agreement with Hibs and that I've been able to persuade Ivan to come."

SOURCE-http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145371&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145195&contentPK=17677740&pNodeId=144965

Woo Woo a legend in the makeing.

Fast? He's like sh1t of a shovel!

He'll terrorise defences with his pace but, unfortunately for you City fans he's not yet learnt how to make his pace count. Imagine running full pelt for 40 yards but the pitch running out after 30 and you'll get some idea!!

As a true maroon I'm not sad to see him leave the SPL but he'll bring some excitement to the Championship I'm sure.