Irish defender Alex Pearce has left Derby County to join Bristol City on loan until the end of the season with a view to playing his way into Ireland's Euro 2016 squad.
Pearce joined Derby from Reading last summer, but has been unable to force his way into Paul Clement's side, who are flying high at the top of the Championship.
With the Euros looming, Pearce has taken the decision to join the side who are currently 22nd in the Championship.
City manager John Pemberton confirmed that Pearce's ambition to play his was into contention for Martin O'Neill's side:
Alex will offer us experience; he knows this division inside out. He’s a good lad and a leader.
When I spoke to Alex, it’s clear how desperate he is to get into the Ireland team for the Euros – if he does that then it means he will have played well for us.
Pearce played for the Irish schoolboys and for Scotland at under 21 level, before switching his allegiances back to the Republic of Ireland, then managed by Giovanni Trapattoni.
Pearce scored on his debut in September 2012. He has a quite impressive goalscoring record of 2 goals in 6 games, although he has yet to score against any side that isn't Oman.
