Former Bristol City favourite announces retirement almost two years after Ashton Gate exit

Former Bristol City favourite Timm Klose has announced his retirement from professional football almost two years after he left Ashton Gate.

The Swiss defender joined the Robins ranks in January 2022 as the only addition to Nigel Pearson’s side in the mid-season transfer window and impressed immensely during his first six months with City, starting the final 18 Championship games on the spin.

Klose’s displays under the former Leicester City manager were good enough to see him earn a new one-year contract in the South West, but the veteran never quite managed to recapture that same form after the summer break and quickly fell out of favour at Ashton Gate.

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Having only made five Championship starts by the end of January 2023, City made the decision to release the then 34-year-old on transfer deadline day alongside Chris Martin, who went on to join QPR before later making the move to local rivals Bristol Rovers that September after a brief spell with the Hoops.

Although Klose remained without a club until the end of the 2022/23 season, he ultimately joined FC Basel and played for the Swiss side’s Under-21 team, offering an experienced presence at the heart of the backline.

The 36-year-old’s last game came against FC Zuirch’s U21s on Saturday with the centre-back captaining Basel and playing 56 minutes as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the Swiss Promotion League.

Taking to Instagram to confirm his retirement on Monday, Klose wrote: “That's it, folks. After many years, a great journey is coming to an end. It hasn’t always been all rainbows and sunshine, but even the hard and rocky times have shaped me into who I am today.

“I would like to thank my family and friends who have always supported me, Giallanza Sport who has opened doors for me and has always been by my side, no matter what the situation!

“The biggest thank you goes to my wife, who has absorbed every situation, every mood and supported me through every low and every high from the beginning.

“Last but not least, thanks to all the clubs who had the courage to sign me FC Basel, FC Thun, FC Nurenberg, VfL Wolfsburg, Norwich City, and Bristol City. I have always given everything for them and tried to leave my heart on and off the pitch.

“Playing for Switzerland, representing my country, has filled me and my family with great pride, it was wonderful, thank you!

“Now it’s time for a change and I’m really looking forward to be working on all the projects I have already started. What an exciting journey!

“Until we meet again… Love, Timm.”

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