SAM Stubbs has left City for League Two rivals Cheltenham on a season-long loan.

The centre half triggered an automatic one-year extension in his contract at Valley Parade after reaching an appearance mark last season.

He played four times in pre-season but has not been named in the squad for any of the first three games and becomes the latest exit.

Stubbs has made 55 appearances for City since joining from Exeter in the January window in 2023.

The 25-year-old played 34 games last season but his campaign was cut short in March when he suffered a fracture skull against Doncaster – which forced him to miss the final 12 matches.

The arrival of Neill Byrne and Aden Baldwin over the summer has pushed him down the pecking order and Stubbs will head to the Robins looking for regular game-time again.

He becomes the 17th summer signing for former City skipper Michael Flynn since he took the Cheltenham hot-seat following their relegation from League One.

Flynn told the club website: “Sam will bring a physical element to us which will be effective in both boxes.

"He's a good age and he's got valuable experience. Coming from a big club like Bradford he knows how to handle pressure moments which will be key."