Emil Riis became Bristol City and Gerhard Struber’s third addition of the summer transfer window earlier this week

16:55, 03 Jul 2025Updated 16:55, 03 Jul 2025

Emil Riis has joined Bristol City from Preston North End(Image: Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman has admitted he was “surprised” to see Bristol City win the race for Emil Riis’ signature after the Robins confirmed the arrival of the former Preston North End forward earlier this week.

The Reds announced on Monday evening that the 27-year-old had signed a three-year deal at Ashton Gate to become their third addition of the summer transfer window, having opted not to pen new terms at Deepdale after helping the Lilywhites avoid relegation from the Championship.

Riis, who joined Preston in 2020, scored 46 goals in 186 appearances for the club, including 12 in all competitions last term. His last goal for Paul Heckingbottom’s side came on the final day of the season, when he helped the Lilywhites to what proved to be a crucial 2-2 draw against City at Ashton Gate, a result which proved to be enough for the Reds to finish in the top six and North End avoid relegation.

READ MORE: Riis involved, Twine spotted and ‘merciless’ Struber – What we noticed in Bristol City trainingREAD MORE: Bristol City squad state of play after Robins’ early arrivals and summer contract extensions

The Dane’s consistent form over his five years in the Championship ensured that he wasn’t short of options this summer before joining Gerhard Struber’s ranks. Now, having made the switch to the West Country, he is being backed to reach that elusive 20-goal-a-season mark in his first campaign in red and white.

Speaking to Football League World, Goodman said: “This is a brilliant, brilliant signing for Bristol City and a surprising one if I’m honest with you.

“If clubs like Coventry and Sheffield United were genuinely in for Emil Riis, it would be a bit of a surprise that he has joined Bristol City. I think he is a coup. I’m surprised, with the greatest respect to Bristol City, that they’ve managed to persuade him this is the right move because I rate him.

“I think he’s a very, very good Championship-level striker who could easily get 15 to 20 goals in a Bristol City shirt next season, so absolutely great business from them.”

Adding to their striking options was always likely to be a priority for the Robins this summer. Despite ending their 17-year wait for a top six finish under the management of Liam Manning last term, the Reds were often short of quality in the final third, with a reliance on Nahki Wells – who has now departed BS3 as a free agent – to score the majority of their goals.

Bristol City Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

Neither Sinclair Armstrong nor Fally Mayulu were able to deliver consistently enough in their first seasons at City players, with the duo scoring just a combined five goals between them, the last of which came all the way back in November.

Both Struber and the decision makers at Ashton Gate will be hoping Goodman’s prediction will come true, and Riis will be able to be that consistent source of goals the Reds have been looking for throughout the last few transfer windows.

Having linked up with new teammates for pre-season training at the Robins High Performance Centre earlier this week, the 27-year-old will have a chance to get up to speed in red and white over the course of the Reds’ busy friendly schedule.

The Robins will want their new centre-forward to hit the ground running when they get the new Championship campaign up and running against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a repeat of last season’s play-off semi-final, in a little over five weeks’ time.

READ MORE: ‘Another powerhouse’ – Bristol City fans share their transfer priorities after Emil Riis signingREAD MORE: How Sinclair Armstrong and Fally Mayulu can benefit from latest Bristol City summer signing