The Club is delighted to announce agreements have been reached to keep a number of up and coming prospects at the Mem.
As part of a total of five deals confirmed ahead of the 2021/22 season, scholars Kinsly Murray, Joe Budd and Sam Heal have all signed their first professional deals with the Gas.
On the scholars, Academy Manager Chris Hargreaves described Joe Budd as a 'talented sitting midfielder', Kinsly Murray as a 'pacy and direct winger' and Sam Heal as an 'attacking left-back with good pace and delivery'.
Heal has received a year long professional deal, while Murray and Budd secured six month contracts.
Hargreaves spoke regarding the three players, saying, 'I'm delighted that Kinsly, Joe and Sam have secured professional deals with the club, and it shows another example of the pathway through Bristol Rovers. I look forward to seeing how they develop from here!'
Furthermore, both Ollie Hulbert and Lucas Tomlinson, who were alluded to in the 2021 retained list, have now signed one year deals with the club.
In his first loan move away, Ollie Hulbert hit the ground running in the 2020/21 campaign, firing in 14 goals in 23 games for Cardiff Met in the Cymru Premier, including a hat-trick on one occasion.
Showing a clinical edge and alertness for goalscoring opportunities, Hulbert will be looking to continue his development in this campaign.
Lucas Tomlinson has also enjoyed a number of loan spells to further his development, his first being a stint at Bath City. The youngster featured for the Romans on several occasions, before the National League South season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While playing in a friendly between the development squad and Torquay, Tomlinson caught the attention of Gary Johnson and secured a loan stint at the Gulls for their Vanarama National League run-in. Tomlinson made a few appearances, but also gained vital experience in the mix with a club attempting to capture promotion.
The FIVE players signing new deals...
On Hulbert and Tomlinson, manager Joey Barton said, 'We are delighted that both Ollie and Lucas have extended their contracts.
'Ollie has impressed recently while out on loan, an experience that will serve him well for next season and beyond.
'Lucas is a talented individual that has shown a great deal of determination to progress through the pathway from the club’s academy.
'Both players are great prospects for the future and I'm looking forward to working with them next season.'