Ex-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 spell on loan at Ewood Park from German side Stuttgart during 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 problems off the pitch.

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

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

“The club has made me feel very wanted and that was a big part in my decision to join Rovers. I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going.

“With the ambition that comes from the manager, the coaching staff, and from above too, this is a very positive club to be at.

“When you have a chairman and board of directors who are ambitious, that trickles down in the right way through the entire 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 of being a professional footballer so I’ve got some experience, but I’m also still young and feel like I’ve got so much further that I can go.

“I think being abroad for a while has really helped my development and now I’m ready for that next step in my journey. This feels like the right next step and I’m excited to get going with Bristol Rovers.

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