The 29-year-old, who has been with Leicester since June 2011, arrives in time to join up with the squad ahead of Saturday's npower Championship clash with Blackpool at Ashton Gate.
Liverpool-born Danns started his career with Blackburn Rovers, joining as a trainee at the age of 16. In the months that followed he enjoyed loan spells at Blackpool, Hartlepool United and Colchester United.
His Colchester stint ultimately earned him a permanent deal with the club. After scoring four goals from midfield and seeing his loan spell extended, Danns penned a deal in December 2004.
U's boss Phil Parkinson said of the 22-year-old midfielder, who signed an 18-month contract for a nominal fee: "I'm really pleased to get Neil".
Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "We've been working on it for a few weeks now and it is an important signing.
"He did very well for us the last time he was here and since he went back to Blackburn he has been playing for their reserves."
But the following year reports suggested Danns was unlikely to sign a new contract with the club, despite the Us' attempts to tie him down.
Luton Town boss Mike Newell spoke of his desire to secure the youngster's signature, while Wigan, Reading and Sheffield United were also said to be interested. Birmingham and Coventry later joined the race to catch Danns.
It was Birmingham that would enjoy the taste of victory – Danns penned a three-year deal with the club in June 2006 after Birmingham struck a �500,000 deal with the Essex outfit.
Speaking to the club's official website, Danns said: "When a club the size of Birmingham come in for you, it's hard to say no.
"There is so much prestige about the club and the quality of players that are here, it's a great opportunity for me.
"My time at Colchester has been absolutely tremendous and I couldn't have asked much more from the club. But there comes a time in everyone's career that you want to test yourself and move to the next step."
In the months that followed Danns was reported to have fallen down the pecking order at the club, but insisted he had no intention of leaving. In October 2007, Birmingham manager Steve Bruce ruled out allowing Danns to join Nottingham Forest on loan. But by December new boss Alex McLeish said he was prepared to release him. McLeish said: "We would like to bring other players in next month and that's going to hold players back already here. Neil is a guy who at this stage of career should be getting first-team football." In January 2008 Danns joined Crystal Palace for an initial fee of �600,000. The 25-year-old signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, with the eventual fee set to rise to �850,000 based on add-ons. By June the following year Danns had started to catch the eye of a number of clubs, with reports suggesting Preston were considering a move for the player. And by January 2010 League One outfit Southampton had made an offer for the midfielder – a proposition Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock urged him to shun. As the year drew to an end Danns insisted he had no intention of leaving Crystal Palace. The 28-year-old, out of contract at the end of the season, had been offered an improved contract but neglected to sign it, Sky Sports reported. In the spring/summer of 2011 Danns was once again in demand, this time from Scottish clubs Rangers and Celtic. Leicester City threw their hat into the ring in June, and secured the player by the end of the month. Danns signed a three-year deal, joining City on a free transfer. Earlier this month Sky Sports reported Danns was being tracked by a number of his former clubs and managers. Having made just one appearance in the league for City, the club were reported to be open to letting him leave. But it was Bristol City that secured the player's services. Manager Derek McInnes said: "I'm very pleased to be able to bring Neil to the club. He's hungry and determined to do well. He's a tenacious midfielder who brings experience and quality to our squad."
No comments:
Post a Comment