Football Kacper's pleased to be back at the Mem, close to where he grew up

ALTHOUGH he only pulled on the blue-and-white quarters for the first time last Tuesday, Bristol Rovers’ latest addition Kacper Lopata has a connection to his new loan side that added sentimental value to his switch from Barnsley.

- Dan HARGRAVES

The centre-back moved to Bristol from Poland as a child and grew up just a stone’s throw from the Memorial Stadium in Horfield. He also attended SGS College where the likes of Southampton, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Brighton and Hove Albion identified the young defender’s talents.

Just a couple of days out from his 24th birthday, Lopata is now back in north Bristol and already looks set to play an important role in the Gas’ League Two campaign, having started their last three games and helping to keep back-to-back clean sheets at home to Oldham Athletic and Cambridge United.

Although his family have since moved up north and childhood friends have embarked on their own journeys in adulthood, the defender already has roots in his home for the season.

“Actually today before I came down to the game, I left my hotel a bit early and I had a little drive around where I used to live just to remind myself” Lopata reflected after Saturday's 1-0 win over Cambridge United.

“Yeah, it definitely means that bit more, you know? I remember I used to go out for little runs with my football around Horfield and then play footy just at the back of the sports centre up there. So, yeah, I went for a little drive. It reminded me of when I was a kid, with a little dream and, yeah, maybe that

I remember telling my older brother, he remembers this, ‘Oh, yeah. I'll play at this ground one day. I was a little fat, chubby kid!

played a little part today. “I did once, yeah,” the 23-year-old added with a smile when asked if he ever came to a game at the Mem. “Years ago when I was probably about a month, two months after we moved here.