Rovers bolster ranks with ‘real old-school centre-back’ Negru

BRISTOL Rovers’ deadline day was, as expected, busy as four new arrivals joined the club, all of whom were on loan deals.

- Dan HARGRAVES [e-mail]

Midfielders Joel Cotterill and Alfie Chang from Swansea City and Birmingham City, respectively, have given Darrell Clarke more options in the middle of the park, even after the loan departure of Isaac Hutchinson to Cheltenham Town, while winger Freddie Issaka from Plymouth Argyle is an intriguing addition.

In terms of reviews though, centre-back Stephan Negru has joined from Oxford United for the season with some glowing references after a successful loan spell in League Two last season with Salford City.

The 23-year-old has played 21 times for the Us since joining from Shelborne in January 2023.

In fact, one of those appearances came against Rovers in the 2023-24 League One season as United secured promotion to the Championship via the playoffs.

Negru is yet to feature in the second tier, having spent the majority of last term at Salford City, where the defender largely thrived, making 30 appearances in League Two.