'Feels like home' - George Earthy's first words as Bristol City confirm West Ham loanee's return

Bristol City have confirmed the return of George Earthy, with the West Ham United prospect joining the Robins for a second loan spell

Bristol City have confirmed the return of George Earthy on loan from West Ham United(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

George Earthy has admitted that Bristol City “feels like home,” after the Robins announced the loan signing of the West Ham United loanee, their third addition of the winter transfer window.

The Reds confirmed late on Friday evening that the 21-year-old, who spent the entirety of last season on loan at Ashton Gate, would be returning to the West Country for the remainder of the Championship campaign, having again made the temporary switch from the London Stadium.

Earthy was part of the City side that secured a first top six Championship finish in nearly two decades under the management of Liam Manning last term. The attacking midfielder made 40 appearances for the Robins in all competitions and scored three goals, the most notable of which came against Middlesbrough in a dramatic 2-1 win.

West Ham opted to keep their academy prospect in East London last summer, but a combination of injury and competition for places has meant that the 21-year-old has been limited to just a single Premier League appearance this season, which came in the shape of a brief cameo against Fulham.

Now, though, having returned to BS3 – on a straight loan deal – Earthy is looking forward to plying his trade under Gerhard Struber and playing in front of the City faithful as the Reds look to replicate last year’s success and again secure a Championship play-off place.

On his move to Ashton Gate, the Irons loanee told the Robins’ media team: “The place feels like home, and so I am really happy to be back. I am really looking forward to seeing the fans again.

“I have always been thinking about [my chant] since I left; they were so good to me. It is special to be back, and I cannot wait to get back in front of them again.

Bristol City looking to build on last season’s play-off finish under Gerhard Struber and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

“The way the gaffer has implemented his style of play into the club is something I feel I can fit into really well.”

For much of the season so far, Struber has opted to play two attacking midfielders behind a solo centre-forward, with Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine typically the preferred pairing in such a system.

Behind the first-choice duo, however, the Austrian’s options have been unclear at times. Yu Hirakawa has been deployed in the number 10 position, as has Sam Bell since he was recalled from his loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers, but Josh Stokes – who appeared to be one of the more natural alternatives – completed a temporary switch to Stockport County earlier this week.

The addition of Earthy should – albeit only until the end of the season – provide the Robins with a greater level of strength in depth in attacking midfield, in the shape of a player that has the head coach’s seal of approval.

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.

Discussing the latest addition to his squad, Struber said, “He is a very interesting player and did very well here last year. We are very happy to add a player of his quality to the squad.”

With the signing of the 21-year-old, the Robins have now added three new faces to their squad this month. Former Liverpool youngster Ranel Young has linked up with the Under-21s squad, while former Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy made his debut against Preston North End last weekend.

Whether or not the deal to bring Earthy to Ashton Gate was completed in time for the West Ham prospect to feature in Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Watford is not yet clear.

What has been clarified, however, is that the attacking midfielder will wear the number 44 this season, with the number 40 that he previously occupied now taken by Morsy.

‘Feels like home’ – George Earthy’s first words as Bristol City confirm West Ham loanee’s return

Tags: