Bristol City have completed the signing of striker Matt Smith on loan from Fulham until January 25.
The 25-year-old target man will go straight into the squad to face Peterborough United in tomorrow’s Sky-televised League One clash at London Road after penning a deal just hours before the deadline for emergency loans.
Former Oldham and Leeds forward Smith will compete with Aaron Wilbraham, Kieran Agard and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas for a place in the starting line-up.
City manager Steve Cotterill said: “I’ve been looking for another striker able to take the weight off Aaron Wilbraham.
“We’re pleased to have secured Matt’s services until the end of January. He’s a good lad, a powerful forward and someone who can share the load up front.”
Standing at 6ft 6in, Smith is a powerful forward who is strong in the air and adept at bringing others into play rather than an out and out goal-scorer.
Cotterill refused to confirm that he has loaned Smith with a view to making the deal permanent in January and the big forward still has another two and a half years to run on his contract at Fulham.
But he has made only three appearances for the West London outfit this season and his days at Craven Cottage could be numbered under new manager Kit Symons.
Fulham have given permission for Smith to play for City in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi-final against Coventry, but not the FA Cup second round tie against Telford three days earlier on December 7.
