Midfielder Ollie Clarke, who scored his 11th league goal for the club last Saturday, became the second player of Darrell Clarke’s squad to sign a new contract to extend his stay with his only professional club.
Arguably playing some of the best football of his career this season, Ollie is the club’s longest serving player and has, to date, appeared in 126 league games and made 17 appearances in all other competitions.
Manager Darrell Clarke had this to say regarding Ollie’s new deal; “While we are still aiming for a top six finish this season, we are also planning for the 2017/18 campaign.
“Ollie is an integral member of our squad and he has improved as a player during our first season back in League One. He is still only 24 years old and I feel he can improve still further and I am really pleased that he has decided to stay with us.”
Ollie was delighted to have signed a new deal; “When you enter the final months of your contract you want to try to get something sorted for the following season
“As far as I’m concerned it’s a great feeling to be staying at the club and I’m delighted everything has been agreed.”
Ollie made his Rovers debut at Colchester, in the final game of the 2010/11 season and scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win against Portsmouth in December 2013.
During his time as a professional he spent loan spells with Gloucester City, Mangotsfield United and Clevedon Town before being given an extended run in the first team, under John Ward, towards the end of the 2012/13 season.
He has continued to develop, as a player, under Darrell Clarke and this season he has appeared in 27 of the club’s 36 league games to date.
In line with club policy, the length of Ollie’s new contract will not be disclosed.
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