Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Richie Smallwood.
The midfielder moved to the Club from Tranmere Rovers on loan on deadline day in the January transfer window and has played 14 times for the Pirates in Sky Bet League Two, starting 12 times, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
The 35-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year contract with Rovers for the 2026/27 campaign, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2027.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign permanently,” Richie said. “The second half of last season went really well for me personally and, more importantly, for the team too. We went on an unbelievable run and everyone is really happy with what we achieved, and now I’m looking forward to getting back and continuing that momentum.
“The aim now is to get that run going again. That sort of run is what you strive for in football, and that breeds confidence that you can go into every game and win and put in a good performance. That’s what the feeling was like in the squad at the end of last season and, with a summer of strengthening, we can only get better.
“I’m really enjoying working with the gaffer again. I really enjoy his training, his tactics and his style of play. I think it suits me really and, throughout my career, I’ve always enjoyed playing his style. It’s benefited me and it was a joy to join in January initially and get back to enjoying the game. I enjoy working hard and that breeds positive results too.
“I’ve enjoyed living around Bristol too. I’ve embraced it. It was a bit hard when I was away from my family for a number of weeks but I’ve earned that contract now and we’re excited to come and enjoy the south west some more and, personally, I’m excited to keep playing for the Gasheads, who have made The Mem such a special place in my first few months here.”
Manager Steve Evans said: "Gasheads need no introduction to Richie on the back of what was a very impressive loan with us. His experience and quality were clear for Rovers in the last few months, and I'm delighted he's signed to be with us permanently next season.
"Richie is a top professional, a leader, an inspirational figure in our dressing room, and he's a winner. He's achieved several promotions through his career, amassed over 250 appearances in the Championship, and knows what it takes to win big matches. I know our supporters have really taken to Richie and I'm glad to have him in the team for next season."
Smallwood started his professional career at Middlesbrough, making 60 appearances for Boro in the Championship before moving on loan to Rotherham United for the second half of the 2013/14 campaign. The midfielder played 18 times in Sky Bet League One as the Millers reached the playoffs before starting the final against Leyton Orient and netting the winning spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out to seal their promotion to the Championship.
Smallwood signed permanently for Rotherham after his successful loan stint and won the Player of the Season award in his first full season at the Club. The midfielder played 133 times for Rotherham and had a loan spell at Scunthorpe United before moving to Blackburn Rovers in June 2017.
He was a regular for the Riversiders in Sky Bet League One and played all 46 games to help them back to the Championship at the first attempt. Smallwood played 32 times the following season before switching to Hull City for the 2020/21 term. Smallwood added another promotion to his collection, playing 27 times to help the Tigers gain promotion to the Championship before playing 42 times in the second tier.
Smallwood departed Hull at the end of his contract and moved to Bradford City in the 2022/23 term, playing 156 times across all competitions in three seasons, winning promotion from Sky Bet League Two and earning the Player of the Season award in the 2024/25 term.
Smallwood moved to Tranmere in July 2025 and played 32 times across all competitions before moving to the Gas on loan in January 2025.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to congratulate Richie on his permanent move to the Club and wish him every success in the blue-and-white quarters.
