CITY are close to making their first addition of the transfer window as Kai Bruenker became the latest departure.

David Hopkin is set to unveil a new signing imminently in his attempts to reshape the squad that he inherited four months ago.

Hopkin is looking to move on some of the players who are on the fringes of his first-team plans and Bruenker last night returned to Germany.

He has joined Bundesliga third tier side SGS Grossaspach just under a year after arriving at Valley Parade.

Bruenker made 31 appearances in that time, including 11 starts, but scored only one goal in the Checkatrade Trophy against Oldham.

Hopkin said: “Since I’ve been here, he’s been fantastic and come into training every day with a smile on his face.

“I think Kai’s an infectious person about the club and everybody really liked him.

“He will be a big miss to the squad because he kept the place bubbly and lively in training. He was a great character around the place.

“Kai started to improve. He had the desire but he was getting to an age at 24 where he wanted to start more games and I couldn’t give him that guarantee, even more so if we brought one or two more strikers in.

“He said he wanted to get back to Germany. He had spoken to a club and I wish him all the best.

“He’s a fantastic kid with a great attitude and everything he did was to try to make himself better. He gave you everything when he played.”

Jack Payne is expected to be recalled by parent club Huddersfield although there has been no movement so far. Hopkin admits his main aim during the window is to hang on to their present loan recruits.

He added: “That’s our priority and then after that, it’s a case of whether we can get players in or out.

“We’ll get there and hopefully get one or two done in the next few days. The big thing is also trying to get players out.

“You don’t want to get too many players in when you’ve still got a load here. But it’s also important that we try to keep the loan boys we’ve got.”

Hopkin’s squad returned from their “mini-break” yesterday as City build up to Saturday’s Yorkshire derby at Barnsley.

The players had been given the time off since the 3-0 win over Accrington on New Year’s Day.

“It was important to do that,” said Hopkin. “They didn’t get much time off in December and this was an opportunity to give them that.

“It sounds a lot but they would probably have been off on Wednesday anyway, then been in a couple of days and off again at the weekend.

“It’s about recharging the batteries. The players have worked extremely hard and hopefully they are now ready to go again.

“I’m sure they’ve enjoyed the break with their families and now it’s back to hard work again. We’ve got a derby game at Barnsley coming up and that’s one we’re all looking forward to.”