Former Derby County favorites engaged in ‘confidential conversations,’ according to the club director confirming ongoing talks.

Former Derby County academy graduates Jason Knight and Max Bird are currently involved in discussions regarding new contracts at Bristol City as the club begins a new era under recently appointed manager Michael Skubala.

The pair, who both progressed through Derby County’s youth system before securing moves to Ashton Gate, are entering the final year of their current agreements with the Championship club. Unless fresh terms are agreed, both players would be free to leave Bristol City when their contracts expire next summer.

Max Bird hugs former Derby County teammate Jason Knight. They are now at Bristol City.(Image: PA)

With uncertainty surrounding their long-term futures, talks have already begun between the club and the players as Bristol City seek to secure key members of their squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The situation comes at an important time for the Robins, who are preparing for significant changes following the arrival of Skubala as head coach. The former Lincoln City manager has been tasked with leading the club forward, while former Notts County boss Ian Burchnall is expected to work alongside him as part of the coaching staff.

As the new management team settles into Ashton Gate, decisions regarding the futures of several first-team players are expected to become a major focus over the coming months.

Derby County Benefited Financially From Their Departures

Knight and Bird remain two of the most notable academy products to emerge from Derby County in recent years.

Both players enjoyed successful spells with the Rams before eventually departing for Bristol City in separate transfer deals that generated significant income for the East Midlands club.

Having come through Derby’s youth ranks and established themselves in the first team, the duo attracted interest from elsewhere and ultimately made the move to Ashton Gate.

Their departures brought in seven-figure transfer fees, providing Derby with valuable funds during a challenging period for the club.

While both players have continued their careers in Bristol, many Derby supporters have continued to follow their progress closely, given the important roles they played during their time at Pride Park.

Now, with both men approaching the final stages of their contracts, speculation surrounding their futures has naturally increased.

Bristol City Remain in Discussions

Bristol City sporting director James Ellis has confirmed that conversations are taking place regarding new deals for a number of players whose contracts are approaching their final year.

Although he was careful not to reveal specific details, Ellis acknowledged that negotiations are ongoing and stressed the importance of involving all relevant parties in discussions about the future.

Speaking about the situation, Ellis explained that such talks remain private but confirmed that the club has opened communication with those players whose futures require clarification.

He indicated that every case is being assessed individually while emphasising that the contributions made by those players in previous seasons are highly valued by the club.

Ellis also highlighted the importance of giving the new manager time to evaluate the squad before major decisions are made.

With Skubala having only recently arrived at the club, the sporting director believes it is essential that he has the opportunity to meet players personally, understand their situations and determine how they fit into his plans moving forward.

The club intends to work closely with players, their representatives and their families as discussions continue throughout the summer.

Jason Knight Has Become a Key Figure at Ashton Gate

Since arriving from Derby County, Jason Knight has developed into one of Bristol City’s most dependable performers.

The Republic of Ireland international completed his move to Ashton Gate following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, with Bristol City reportedly paying around £2 million to secure his services.

Knight had already accumulated substantial experience with Derby by that stage, having made more than 150 appearances for the Rams despite still being relatively young.

His energy, versatility and leadership qualities made him a valuable member of Derby’s squad and those attributes have continued to serve him well since moving to Bristol.

Over the course of his time with the Robins, Knight has established himself as a regular starter and an influential presence in midfield.

To date, he has made 126 league appearances for Bristol City, underlining both his durability and importance to the team.

His consistent performances have helped him remain a significant figure regardless of managerial changes, and he is expected to be an important player for Skubala should he remain at the club beyond next season.

As contract talks continue, securing Knight’s long-term future could become one of Bristol City’s key priorities.

Max Bird’s Journey Has Been More Complicated

Max Bird’s move to Bristol City followed a different path.

The midfielder agreed a transfer to Ashton Gate in January 2024 but remained with Derby County on loan for the remainder of that season.

That arrangement allowed Bird to continue playing an important role in Derby’s promotion push before officially beginning his Bristol City career.

His contribution during those final months at Pride Park proved significant.

One of the standout moments came on the final day of the campaign when Bird scored the opening goal in Derby’s victory over Carlisle United.

The result secured promotion back to the Championship for the Rams under then-manager Paul Warne and ensured Bird left the club on a memorable high.

Many Derby supporters still remember that goal fondly, given its importance in helping the club return to the second tier.

Injuries Have Interrupted Bird’s Progress

While Bird arrived at Bristol City with high expectations, injuries have prevented him from enjoying the same level of consistency as Knight.

The midfielder endured a frustrating campaign and was limited to just 18 appearances during the season.

Those fitness issues disrupted his momentum and made it difficult for him to establish himself as a regular fixture in the starting lineup.

Despite those challenges, Bird still produced moments that demonstrated his quality.

One of the highlights of his season came in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Wrexham, when he scored a spectacular goal that showcased the technical ability that made him such a highly regarded player during his Derby days.

Although injuries restricted his involvement, Bristol City remain aware of the talent Bird possesses and will likely consider his long-term potential when evaluating his contract situation.

Different Fortunes for Derby and Bristol City

The 2025/26 season ultimately saw Derby County enjoy a stronger campaign than Bristol City.

After returning to the Championship, Derby exceeded many expectations by finishing eighth in the final standings.

The Rams narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs but demonstrated considerable progress as they continued rebuilding following their promotion.

Bristol City, meanwhile, finished the season in 12th position.

While not a disastrous outcome, it fell short of the ambitions many supporters had at the start of the campaign.

The gap between the two clubs has inevitably led some Derby fans to wonder whether either Knight or Bird could eventually return to Pride Park in the future.

With both players entering the final year of their contracts, speculation regarding potential moves is likely to continue until their situations are resolved.

Important Decisions Await

The coming months could prove crucial for both players and Bristol City as a whole.

For Knight and Bird, decisions regarding their futures will shape the next stage of their careers.

For Bristol City, securing the right balance between retaining experienced performers and reshaping the squad under a new manager will be essential.

Michael Skubala’s arrival presents an opportunity for a fresh start, but it also requires careful planning regarding player recruitment and retention.

Whether Knight and Bird remain central to those plans remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that both former Derby County favourites continue to attract attention, and their contract situations will be closely monitored by supporters of both clubs throughout the summer.

As negotiations continue behind closed doors, Bristol City will hope to reach positive conclusions that provide stability heading into the new season, while Derby fans will undoubtedly watch developments with interest as two familiar academy graduates weigh up the next steps in their football journeys.