Bristol Rovers sign former Bristol City defender Moore

Bristol Rovers have made their sixth signing of the summer, bringing former Bristol City defender Taylor Moore back to English football.

Moore signed a three-year contract with Pirates after a season in France, playing in Ligue 2 for Valenciennes.

The deal, which has an option for another year, is subject to FA and EFL ratification.

The former England Under-19 international’s arrival follows the signings of fellow defenders Joel Senior from Morecambe, Dan Ellison from Chippenham Town in the National League South and Clinton Mola from Reading, as well as striker Ruel Sotiriou from Leyton Orient and Walsall midfielder Isaac Hutchinson.

“He’s a proven defender at this level, he’s a good age and I think he’ll add strength, depth and competition,” Rovers manager Matt Taylor said.

London-born Moore made 60 appearances for Bristol City in seven years at the club after starting his professional football career in France at Lens.

He was loaned out six times in that time – to Bury, Cheltenham, Southend, Blackpool, Hearts and Shrewsbury – before moving to Valenciennes in 2023.

“This is an important milestone for me personally in my career,” Moore said. “I want to be in a place where I feel settled and really part of the project. The ambition is to build and continue at Bristol Rovers. It really makes this move feel right.”

“Where the club is at the moment and where they’re trying to get to, there’s a lot of ambition to get as far up League One as possible and ultimately become a Championship side.”