At last! Bristol City strike lucky with Maynard signing
The 21-year-old striker completed his move to Ashton Gate yesterday, bringing to an end City's summer-long search for a new front man.
Maynard signed a four-year contract after agreeing terms with the Championship club.
City manager Gary Johnson will be delighted to have secured the signing after deals for Egyptian Emad Meteb and Coventry City striker Michael Mifsud both collapsed at the 11th hour.
Maynard came through the ranks at Gresty Road and is the latest hot prospect off a successful production line that has yielded the likes of Danny Murphy and Dean Ashton.
After a prolific debut campaign in 2006-07, he broke his leg on the opening game of last season but returned to bag 15 goals and help Crewe avoid relegation.
Maynard said: “I'm so excited. It's a good move for me to keep progressing in my career. I've had a look around the stadium, spoken to some of the players and the manager. This seems like the perfect place for me.
“The manager's told me how the club is very tight-knit, and all the lads here are buzzing after their success last season.
“Since winning promotion from League One, Bristol City haven't looked back since. They did very well last season getting to the play-off and were unlucky not to reach the Premier League.
“Everyone is confident the team can go one step further this season and, hopefully, I'll be able to help with that.
“I want to score as many goals as I can and help Bristol City into the Premier League.”
City first declared their interest in Maynard in June, only to be put off by Crewe's valuation of a player whose experience is confined to League One. A bid for Maynard from Ipswich Town was also rejected by the Cheshire club.
But Johnson went back in for the youngster after proposed £1.5m moves for Meteb and Mifsud fell through last month.
The fee eclipses the £1.2m City paid to Gillingham for Ade Akinbiyi in 1998.
Johnson is also in the market for an unnamed European-based target man and remains confident his squad will be complete ahead of the opening Championship fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tomorrow week.
Maynard, who is Bristol City's second signing of pre-season following the acquisition of Gavin Williams, is standing by to make his debut in tonight's pre-season friendly against Royal Antwerp at Ashton Gate.
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