Republic of Ireland defender Alex Pearce has joined Championship strugglers Bristol City on loan until the end of the season after failing to establish himself at Derby County since moving there in the summer.

The 27-year-old who came through the youth ranks at Reading and previously played underage international football for Scotland, has six senior caps and two goals for Ireland.

Although he has struggled slightly to get game time for Martin O'Neill with John O'Shea, Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark all ahead of him in the pecking order, he has been a regular in the international squad and City's interim manager, John Pemberton, made it clear that nailing down his spot in the travelling party for France was a key factor in persuading Pearce to move.

“Alex will offer us experience; he knows this division inside out,” said Pemberton. “He’s a good lad and a leader. When I spoke to Alex, it’s clear how desperate he is to get into the Ireland team for the Euros – if he does that then it means he will have played well for us.”