Championship strugglers Bristol City have confirmed the appointment of Lee Johnson as their new head coach.

The 34-year-old joins the Robins from Barnsley with immediate effect after a release clause was activated in his contract with the League One outfit.

Johnson spent six years at Ashton Gate during his playing career, moving to Kilmarnock in 2012 before deciding to move into management.

City's chief operating officer Mark Ashton said: "Lee is a very bright, intelligent young man who is highly motivated and very detailed in his approach. He's well-known to the club; fans, stakeholders and staff. He is one of the up and coming coaches in the country and having interviewed him, I had no hesitation in recommending to the board that Lee is the right fit for this football club.

"Lee also has the advantage of knowing Bristol City very well and will be able to fit seamlessly back into Ashton Gate. There are substantial synergies in the way that we think and the way that we believe football departments should be operated. We'll work together to build this football club for sustainable success."

Johnson joins Bristol with the side three points above the Championship relegation zone and leaves Barnsley 12th in League One.