On transfer deadline day in the summer of 2018, the Club announced the signing of Joe Bryan from Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. The left-back signed a four-year-deal with Fulham, with a Club option to extend by a further year.
Bryan had established himself as one of the finest left-backs outside the top flight over the last few seasons, helping the Robins enjoy a number of successful campaigns on the pitch.
Born in Bristol, Bryan progressed through City’s academy and made his Championship debut in a 3-2 win over Leicester City as an 18-year-old in March 2012.
The following season he played 12 times in the Championship during the first half of the season, prior to a loan switch to Plymouth Argyle, who he helped remain in the Football League.
In his absence, Bristol City had slipped into League One, but in the two seasons that followed he continued his development having established himself as the club’s first choice left-back.
After a campaign of consolidation, 2014/15 was a hugely successful one for City, with Bryan scoring seven times in 50 appearances as they won the title with 99 points and claimed the Football League Trophy at Wembley.
In their first campaign back in the second tier, the Robins comfortably avoided relegation, a feat they replicated in 2016/17.
Bryan then played a pivotal role in one of their best ever campaigns. A fantastic start to proceedings saw City establish themselves as promotion contenders, and although they were unable to sustain their league form, they still secured a top half finish.
They really captured the nation’s attention in the League Cup, though, when they reached the Semi-Finals.
Having already knocked out Premier League Stoke City and Crystal Palace, Manchester United arrived at Ashton Gate in the Quarter-Final, with Bryan opening the scoring with a stunning strike in a 2-1 win.
The other Manchester side awaited in the last-four, but the eventual winners proved too strong despite a spirited Robins display, with City claiming a 5-3 aggregate win across two legs.
A real fan favourite, Bryan departed his boyhood club having made 230 appearances, during which time he scored 20 goals.
Injuries disrupted Bryan's progress at Fulham in his maiden campaign, but the following season he wrote himself into the history books. With the 2020 Championship Play-Off Final seemingly heading to penalties, Bryan popped up with two goals to put the Whites into the Premier League, the first of which was a stunning 40 yard free-kick.
source: Fulham FC