Bristol Rovers

Transfer deadline days have come and gone in recent times with very little activity as far as Bristol Rovers have been concerned.

However that wasn’t the case today as Darrell Clarke brought in another striker to add to his squad, sold one young striker to a Championship club and sent two other players out on loan.

The incoming player is Luton Town striker Alex Wall, 24, who has been at Kenilworth Road since the summer of 2013 having impressed whilst on loan to the Hatters from Maidenhead United.

He will remain on loan at the Memorial Stadium until 4th January 2015.

Alex signed for Maidenhead from Thatcham Town and during his time at Luton he has been out on loan at Dartford. He is credited with Luton’s final goal in the Conference last season, following his strike in the 1-0 win against Hyde.

He has scored six goals in 26 Luton appearances and whilst at Dartford scored six times in 11 games.

The outgoing striker is young Donovan Wilson, who has signed a permanent deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers after spending the last two weeks training with them.

Donovan has been on the bench for Rovers on three occasions this season.

Meanwhile Jamie Lucas has signed for Vanarama Conference North side Gloucester City until 4th January and Pierce Mitchell has joined Weston super Mare in the Conference South for the second time this season, until the same date.

Commenting on the day’s business, the manager said; “I am delighted to be able to bring in Alex Wall to boost our strike force.

“He is a player I know well from his time with Maidenhead and he will add further competition for places at the top end of the pitch.

“With regard to Donovan, it’s disappointing to lose him but he now has a great opportunity to further his career by joining a Championship side.

“His development as a player is testament to the hard work put in by our Academy coaches, who have worked with him over the course of a number of years and, like them, I wish Donovan a successful career.

“As for Jamie and Pierce, they need to be playing games on a regular basis, something I am unable to guarantee them at the moment, and they now have the opportunity to do that and I’m sure they will benefit from the experience.

Chairman Nick Higgs was delighted with today’s events and said; “Alex Wall is another young player who Darrell knows very well and his arrival will strengthen the squad still further and add to the strong competition for places in the starting lineup. “I would like to welcome him to Bristol Rovers and wish him every success during his time with us.

“I have to say that we are disappointed to be losing young Donovan Wilson to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but there is very little clubs like ours can do when offers are made for our young players.

“Donovan has been with us since he was nine years old and has developed into a very good player during his time with us.

“We will receive a fee for him and a number of add ons will kick in at various stages of his career, depending on the number of appearances he makes.

“Whilst we are sorry to be losing him we wish him every success, and a long career, as a professional footballer.

“We have, of course, sent three players out on loan and I’m sure that they will all benefit from playing football, in new surroundings, on a regular basis.

“I believe that today’s business shows that Darrell is continuing to build an exciting squad capable of returning us to the Football League at the first attempt and we, as a Board of Directors, are backing him and will continue to back him in his efforts to do that.”