Former Rovers defender links up with Matt Taylor at Bristol Rovers

Former Rovers defender Clinton Mola has joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a three-year deal.

Mola had a loan spell at Ewood Park from German side Stuttgart in the 2022/23 campaign but made just six first-team appearances.

The 23-year-old spent last season at Reading, playing 35 times as the Royals finished 17th amid their off-field problems.

He now links up with Chorley-born Matt Taylor, who took over at the Memorial Stadium last December after a spell in the Rotherham dugout.

“Joining Bristol Rovers is an exciting opportunity for me,” Mola told the club’s website. “When I heard that the club was for me, I was very interested.

“The club made me feel very wanted and that was a big part of my decision to join Rovers. I’m very happy to be here and I can’t wait to get going.

“With the ambition coming from the manager, the coaching staff and from above, this is a very positive club.

“When you have a chairman and a board who are ambitious, that trickles right through the whole club. For me, that’s one of the most positive things about being here.”

The Gas finished 15th in the third tier last season and have also brought in midfielder Isaac Hutchinson from Walsall as preparations for the new season continue.

He added: “This is my fifth year as a professional footballer so I’ve got some experience but I’m still young and I feel like I’ve got as far as I can go.

“I think my time abroad really helped my development and now I’m ready for the next step in my journey. It feels like the right next step and I’m delighted to be going with Bristol Rovers.

“The manager told me he wants me to be robust, help the defense and come and help the team in any way I can. When I can get on the ball, I can take it forward and help the team win games.”