Ayman Benarous has been released by Bristol City having not made a competitive appearance for the Robins in over three yearsAyman Benarous in action for Bristol City Under-21s vs Millwall(Image: Photo by Rogan/Bristol City)

Ayman Benarous has taken to social media over the bank holiday weekend to issue a message to Bristol City after the Robins confirmed the academy graduate will not see his contract at Ashton Gate renewed this summer.

Benarous, who joined the Robins’ academy as a seven-year-old, was one of eight players to be released when the Reds published their retained list in the wake of their play-off semi-final defeat to Sheffield United, alongside fellow first-teamers Kal Naismith and Stefan Bajic.

The now-21-year-old broke into Nigel Pearson’s side in the 2021/22 campaign but hasn’t made a competitive appearance in red and white for more than three years after back-to-back ACL injuries which were followed by a variety of other setbacks.

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Now, following his departure, the academy graduate has taken to Instagram to write a farewell message, saying: “As my time at Bristol City comes to an end, I want to say how much of a privilege it’s been to represent the club I’ve been part of since I was seven years old. I’m proud to have worn the shirt and grateful for all the memories made along the way.

“I want to thank my teammates, the fans and staff at the club for the incredible support I’ve received, especially through the challenges of the last few years. I’ll always look back on my time here with pride and without regrets. “Now it’s time for a fresh start and a new chapter of my career, which I’m really excited for. Looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Quickly, the attacking midfielder was inundated with messages from supporters and teammates, both past and present, alike. Anis Mehmeti, Zak Vyner and Ross McCrorie all left comments of support while former City players Marlee Francois, Owura Edwards, George Earthy, Naismith and Andy King were also among the first to react.

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Though he was limited to just 12 competitive appearances in red and white, Benarous left a real impression on fans and staff alike in his brief spell in and around Pearson’s side. The former City boss handed him his first team debut against Barnsley in October 2021 and he started three matches in quick succession just a month later.

Perhaps the 21-year-old’s most memorable moment in a Robins shirt came in that run of games when he rose highest to beat then-Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz to a header.

Having lifted the Ashton Gate crowd with his leap, Benarous cheekily kicked the Chilean international’s boot away after he had lost it in the challenge to kickstart a chorus of cheers within BS3.

Although City supporters never truly got to see the best of the England youth international, the majority will be hopeful, as Liam Manning was, that Benarous will be able to stay fit and carve out the sort of career his talent deserves away from South Bristol.

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