Harambee Stars prospect on verge of setting record in England
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 21.10.25. | 11:03
The defender is set to break the record for most Championship appearances for the club this evening when they host Southampton at Ashton Gate
Harambee Stars prospect Zak Vyner, on Saturday, matched the Championship appearance record for his club, Bristol City, and is now on the verge of breaking it with his boyhood team.
Against Norwich City, Vyner made his 218th Championship appearance, equalling the record set by Jamaican midfielder Marvin Elliott, who played for the club between 2007 and 2014.
The defender is set to break the record for most Championship appearances, for the club, this evening when they host Southampton at Ashton Gate.
Liam Fontaine is third on the list with 214 appearances.
The club has already made it clear that they want to retain Vyner, who has been in their books since 2004, when he joined their youth team.
He had a couple of loan spells away from the club before eventually cementing his place as a starter and key player.
Last season, he featured in all their league games.
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— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) October 18, 2025
Bristol City technical director Brian Tinnion confirmed that Vyner has already been offered a new deal as part of the club’s plan to keep their core players.
“I think it is imperative that if we can not invest, we keep the squad together,” Tinnion told BBC Sport.
“We have secured Rob, we have offered Zak Vyner a new contract, Anis Mehmeti has been offered a new contract, and we have had talks about extending a few others who have two years left. It is a really good group of players, and if we can not spend, we need to protect what we have until we can reinvest.”
Vyner, born in England but eligible to play for Harambee Stars, was handed a call-up by former coach Engin Firat in 2023 but did not make his debut due to a passport issue.
Current coach Benni McCarthy revealed that he has spoken to the player, who expressed his willingness to represent Kenya but asked for some time to focus on his club and sort out personal matters.
“I spoke personally to Zak, and with the Championship and Premier League just starting, he felt it was a bit too early because of the heavy fixture schedule,” McCarthy said.
“He did not want to risk anything since he is in his final contract year and pushing for a new deal at his club. But we are in contact, and I know he is keen to represent Kenya when the timing is right.”
