Bristol City sign ‘in-demand’ Emil Riis after Preston North End exit, Nahki Wells upgrade verdict is clear

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Bristol City have been hunting for reinforcements in the goalscoring department since the departure of club veteran Nahki Wells, and the Robins have found that with the 12-goal striker.

Following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Championship season, there has been a raft of changes at Bristol City, both in the dugout and the dressing room.

After Liam Manning led the Robins to a top-six finish, and the 6-0 aggregate hammering in the play-off semi-finals at the hands of Sheffield United, Norwich City hired Manning to spearhead the Canaries next season.

Following Manning’s exit, former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber was appointed by Bristol City, and there have been several changes to the squad he inherited.

With the summer transfer window in full flow, Bristol City have signed an “in-demand” striker in the wake of his exit from Championship rivals, in the wake of Nahki Wells’ departure from Ashton Gate.

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Bristol City sign Emil Riis Jakobsen after his Preston North End exit

Bristol City lost veteran forward Wells earlier in the window, upon the expiry of his Robins contract, after he ended last season as the club’s second-highest goalscorer with ten goals.

Earlier in the window, EFL Analysis revealed that Wells was likely to leave Bristol City this summer after more than five years at Ashton Gate, in a move which saw Bristol City’s talismanic striker leave for free.

However, the Bristol City hierarchy have quickly sought a replacement in the form of former Preston North End striker Emil Riis Jakobsen, after the Danish striker penned a three-year deal at the Robins.

Jakobsen was on Sunderland’s radar, after his impressive showing in the 2024/25 second tier season, in which he scored 12 goals and notched two assists.

His efforts helped spearhead the Lilywhites to safety from League One relegation, and the Bristol faithful will know what to expect after Jakobsen’s bullish header against Bristol City in the 2-2 draw against Preston on the final day, proving to be his final goal of 46 strikes for his former club.

After the deal was announced, Bristol City technical director Brian Tinnion told the club’s website: “It is no secret how in demand Emil was, and we are very pleased to have secured his signature.

“He provides us with extra firepower and is very experienced in the Championship, and we cannot wait to see him in action.”

Jakobsen’s acquisition is impressive given his proven goal record at Championship level, and was made all the more important with Wells’ departure.

Despite the emotional attachment the Ashton Gate faithful hold for Wells, the Danish forward is a clear upgrade on the Robins veteran, and his exploits could help Struber’s side go one better than Manning’s men did.

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Why Emil Riis Jakobsen is an upgrade on Nahki Wells for Bristol City

Bristol City fans were gutted at Wells’ exit, and rightly so, after the former Burnley forward cemented himself as a Robins legend for his goalscoring services.

In 237 appearances, Wells scored 48 goals and notched 19 assists for Bristol City, with ten of those goals coming under Manning’s reign.

The crucial difference between Wells and successor Jakobsen, which works in Bristol City’s favour, is the age difference between the two forwards.

Wells is currently 35 and in the swansong of his career, whereas Jakobsen is eight years younger at 27, and has his peak years ahead of him to come in a Bristol City shirt.

Bristol City’s biggest problem this summer was the necessity to add firepower to the ranks, and Jakobsen’s arrival certainly ticks that box.

The Danish frontman has big boots to fill after Wells’ emotional exit, but they are ones he can fill, buoyed by his impressive 12-goal campaign, to spearhead the Robins’ top-six push.