Despite only being 20 years old, Joel Cotterill brings plenty of experience at the Sky Bet League Two level and is ready to show everyone his ability.
The energetic midfielder moved to the Gas on Deadline Day on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Swansea City and has already made 50 appearances in the fourth tier during temporary spells away from his boyhood club, playing nine times in Stockport County's 2023/24 promotion campaign before a further 41 appearances on loan at Swindon Town last campaign.
Cotterill has also represented Wales across several age categories, playing 13 times and scoring three goals at the U21 level. The midfielder is Rovers' eleventh signing of the summer transfer window and is keen to help Rovers to success, with the 20-year-old sure that confidence at the Club is growing after collecting seven points from the last three fixtures.
Registering three goals and two assists in Sky Bet League Two last season, Cotterill cannot wait to get going at the Gas and put on the blue-and-white quarters for the first time.
So, Joel, welcome to Bristol Rovers. How does it feel to be here?
"It feels really good. I’m buzzing to get it over the line and get it done. I’m just ready to hit the ground running now. I know how big the Club is, and really, I’m just excited to get going, meet the fans, show them what I can do, and I'm ready to just hit the ground running."
How did the move come about, and have you spoken with Darrell Clarke and Ricky Martin?
"I spoke to them this morning, but it was done quite quickly. It was done on Saturday. I think they wanted me to be involved on the weekend, but it didn’t get done within the time.
"So, that was a bit of a letdown for me, as that would have been my first game, but I think I am ready now to get going. I’m away on Wednesday, so I think I’ll miss the first game as well, but after that I’m ready to get going."
What convinced you that Bristol Rovers was the right step for you in your career?
"I think it’s just how big the Club is. Obviously, knowing Macauley Southam-Hales as well as I was with him at Stockport, and I’ve known him for years, to be honest. So, there’s no doubt I’ll have conversations with him as well. It means a lot for me to be here."
Did you see Macca’s goal against Grimsby Town?
"I did see it. It was a great strike; to be fair to him, I’ve never seen him do that before. I was keeping a good eye on the scoreline and I’m absolutely buzzing with the win. The team is probably growing in confidence now as well. I saw the goal, and I’m sure I’ll give him a bit of stick for it because he won’t do that again."
For the Bristol Rovers fans, what type of player are you, and what can they expect?
"I can play anywhere in the midfield, to be fair, but I would probably say that I am more box-to-box, as an eight would be my preferred position. I’m more of a box crasher, getting goals, getting on the end of things and doing the hard bits as well, like recovery runs. I think that’s just my game, it always has been, but anywhere in the midfield, wherever the gaffer plays me, I have no complaints, I’ll just get my head down and get going."
In the dressing room with the players, what type of impact do you think you’ll make here?
"I think I am quite a bubbly lad. I do get on with everyone, so I think I will settle in quite quickly, having Macca here, and I know Ryan Howley as well from previous Welsh camps. So, I think having those two as well will help me integrate with the group quite quickly as well."
You have also had international experience with Wales. How much has that helped you?
"I think I have been there since the age of nine. So, I have come all the way through. I had a camp in the off-season with the first team lads with Craig Bellamy, and that was a very good experience for me, with some of the lads in the first team playing in the Premier League.
"For me, it was a really good experience, and I just think that gradually coming up through the age groups, you learn so much about yourself and about other players. So, it’s been a really good experience and I’m looking forward to going away. Obviously, it doesn’t help me come here today, but as soon as this camp is done, I’m ready to go."
You have had a couple of loan moves in the EFL as well. Has that helped your development?
"I think Stockport was a big eye-opener for me, going there and not really playing at all. I came off the bench quite a lot, but for ten or 15 minutes here and there. I would say it didn’t really go to plan, but I can look back on it and think there are lots of positives and lots I’ve learnt from it.
"Then, going to Swindon last year and playing 48 games was massive for me. Now to be here, hopefully I can do the exact same as last year and help this Club get back into League One."
How excited are you to wear the blue-and-white quarters for the first time?
"I am really excited. It’s just a buzz to be here knowing how big the Club is. So, putting on the shirt will be a very nice feeling."
From a personal perspective, what do you hope to achieve this season?
"For me and my progression would be to play as many games as possible, but as every player wants to do, they want to get promotion, they want to get playoffs. So, I think that will be our aim, but for me personally, for my progression, I want to play as many games as I can."
How excited are you to meet the Gasheads at The Mem for the first time?
"I’m just buzzing to get out on the pitch and show what I can do. It’s a really, really good feeling to be here, and I think the setup here is really, really good as well. It’s not a League Two setup, it’s a League One setup, and I think the Club will be back in League One next year."
