Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the signing of Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Shot-stopper Southwood joins the Gas from EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers and has penned a deal until 2027 at The Memorial Stadium.
The 27-year-old becomes Rovers’ sixth signing of the 2025 Summer transfer window and has also previously represented Reading and Cheltenham Town.
“I am buzzing,” Southwood said. “I’m really happy to get it done, and I can’t wait to get going.
“I’ve played against the Club loads of times over the last few years, and the fanbase is brilliant. You can feel the passion, and I just feel like it’s a Club that’s matching my ambition, and I want to get on board with it.”
Head Coach Darrell Clarke welcomed Southwood to the Club and is pleased to have secured his services, having previously worked with the goalkeeper at Cheltenham.
Clarke said: “It is great to welcome Luke to Bristol Rovers. Having worked with him previously, I know first-hand not only the quality and calmness he possesses but the great personality he has too.
“He is very good with his feet, a strong influence on the defensive line, and a super shot-stopper too. I am looking forward to working with him again this season.”
Director of Football Ricky Martin said: “Luke is an experienced first-choice goalkeeper who has played across the EFL, most recently in League One with Bolton.
“He is someone that both Darrell and James Bittner, our Head Of Goalkeeping, know very well and think very highly of. His playing style from the back is suited to how we are looking to mould our team heading into the new season.”
Born in Oxford in December 1997, Southwood began his professional journey in the Reading Academy. Loan spells with Bath City, Eastleigh and Hamilton Academical followed for the goalkeeper, before he made his senior debut for Reading in a 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Colchester United in September 2020.
His maiden league outing for Reading was made in an EFL Championship draw at home to Huddersfield Town in May 2021 with Southwood establishing himself as a first-choice option for the Royals in the 2021/22 campaign.
Southwood made the move to then-League One side Cheltenham Town on a season-long loan deal in July 2022. The shot-stopper impressed at Whaddon Road, keeping 16 clean-sheets in an ever-present league campaign, earning himself a full-time deal with the Robins in the 2023/24 season.
Again, Southwood played in every match of the 46-game league season for Cheltenham, establishing himself as first-choice under Wade Elliott and then Clarke following his appointment in September 2023.
The goalkeeper’s efforts earned him a move to Bolton in June 2024, having departed Cheltenham following their relegation, with Southwood making his first competitive showing in a win over Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup.
He made 26 appearances for the Trotters in all competitions last campaign, including 20 in League One.
At international level, Southwood represented England at U19s and U20s level, helping the young Lions claim the U20s World Cup in 2017.
In 2021, Southwood opted to represent Northern Ireland at senior international level and was called into the squad for the first time, making his debut in a 3-1 win over Luxembourg in March 2022.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to warmly welcome Luke to the Club and wish him well in his career with the Pirates.
