Overview
- Joel Senior left Bristol Rovers after asking to move closer to his family and the club confirmed his departure on Friday with manager Steve Evans saying the board sanctioned the release.
- Hours after that announcement, Rovers signed Tom James on a two-year contract to fill the right-back role and make him the club’s fifth summer signing.
- Manager Steve Evans described James as a versatile, experienced defender who can play right-back, right wing-back and right-sided centre-back and praised his promotion experience.
- Senior had made 58 appearances since joining from Morecambe in 2024 so his exit removes a regular first-team option and increases the importance of rebuilding the right-back area.
- With Macauley Southam-Hales now the only other out-and-out right-back in the squad and having been transfer-listed in May, the club’s swift signing shows recruitment will focus on adding further depth at the position.