Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Ben Purrington.
Full-back Purrington will move to The Memorial Stadium from Cambridge United, agreeing a one-year contract for the 2026/27 campaign with the Pirates.
A League One play-off winner with Rotherham United and Charlton Athletic, the 30-year-old achieved promotion out of Sky Bet League Two with Cambridge last term and is Rovers' third permanent summer signing.
“It’s brilliant to sign for Rovers,” Purrington said. “It’s nice to get things done early and it was an easy decision really when I consider location, the stature of the Club and the ambition being shown in terms of pushing for promotion. I’m very happy to get the deal done.
“The gaffer has shown interest before at previous clubs and we’ve crossed paths before, playing against each other several times over the years. I’m 30 now so I think he knows me quite well as a player and the fact he wanted to get the deal done early, and has tried to sign me before, gives me a lot of confidence. It was a no-brainer for me to come here and play for him.
“The excitement is there now to get in for pre-season. I’m looking forward to it. I know a few faces in the squad, like Richie Smallwood from our time at Rotherham together. I’m ready to come in and get started, meet the supporters, and hopefully we can have a great season together.”
Manager Steve Evans said: “Ben is a super signing for us at Bristol Rovers. I have tried to sign him a couple of times and, believe me, this boy had options this summer, so we’re delighted he’s joined us.
“Ben is comfortable in a number of roles, left-back, wing-back, centre-back and midfield, and will bring plenty of experience to the side.”
Born in 1996, Purrington came through the Plymouth Argyle academy, signing his first professional contract in May 2013 before making his senior debut seven months later in a Sky Bet League Two fixture against Oxford United.
The left-back made 64 appearances in all competitions for Plymouth Argyle before moving to the then-Sky Bet Championship team Rotherham United in January 2017.
He played ten times for the Millers during the second half of the 2017/18 campaign and a further ten times the following term in Sky Bet League One, helping Rotherham claim an immediate return to the second tier via the play-offs.
Purrington then went on loan to AFC Wimbledon ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, playing 30 times across all competitions before being recalled in the January window and being sent out to Charlton.
He only missed one match for the Addicks during his loan move, playing 18 times in Sky Bet League One to help the team reach the play-offs before starting both semi-final legs against Doncaster Rovers and the 2-1 win over Sunderland in the final at Wembley.
Purrington signed permanently for Charlton in July 2019 and stayed at the Club for three campaigns, reaching 115 games and scoring nine goals before two-season spells at Ross County and Exeter City, departing the Grecians at the end of the 2024/25 season.
In June 2025, Purrington signed for Cambridge United on a one-year contract. He played 38 times across all competitions last season, with 34 coming in Sky Bet League Two, helping the U's gain promotion to the third tier with a third-placed finish.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers warmly welcomes Ben to The Memorial Stadium and wishes him every success in his career with the Club.
