Tommy Backwell is set to leave Bristol City and complete a permanent move to Cheltenham Town, having joined the League Two side on loan earlier in the winter transfer window.
As first called by our sister publication Gloucestershire Live, the 21-year-old midfielder has been offered an 18-month contract by Michael Flynn’s side and is set to make his stay at the EV Charging Points Stadium permanent.
Although the youngster has never made a competitive appearance for the Reds, he was a regular name on the bench in the last few seasons in both the league and FA Cup whilst also captaining the Under-21 side on occasion.
Before making the move up the M5, the majority of the midfielder’s senior football had been played at youth level, barring senior loan spells with non-league clubs such as Yate Town and Hallen. He also spent a brief time at Bath City under the management of Jerry Gill, but struggled to make an impact at Twerton Park.
Cheltenham cast their eye over Backwell during an 11 vs 11 training game early on in January at Bishop Cleeve’s Kayte Lane ground and after a brief trial period, Flynn’s side secured his services on a temporary basis midway through the month.
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Since then, the 21-year-old has made four appearances in League Two against the likes of Chesterfield, Accrington Stanley and Harrogate and he also scored his first goal league goal as the Robins secured a 2-1 win over Salford City at the EV Charging Points Stadium.
Cheltenham currently sit 12th in the League Two table, nine points adrift of the play-off positions but a comfortable 15 clear of the relegation zone. With Backwell set to be tied down permanently, Flynn’s Robins will be hoping to try and mount a late push for promotion in the final third of the campaign.