Stephan Negru was the second signing on a busy transfer deadline day for Bristol Rovers in September 2025, when he joined the Club on a season-long loan from Oxford United.

Born in Ireland to parents of Moldavan heritage, Negru began his footballing career with Lourdes Celtic before joining Shelbourne in 2017. The defender would make his professional debut in 2022, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4-0 FAI Cup victory against Bonagee United.

His debut in the League of Ireland Premier Division was marked with a goal as Negru scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Finn Harps.

A move to then-League One side Oxford United was confirmed in January 2023 with the defender making his first appearance as a second-half substitute in a League One fixture against Sheffield Wednesday in April 2023. His full debut followed a week later, away to Port Vale.

Negru played 19 times in all competitions in the 2023/24 season for Oxford, including 13 times in League One, impressing throughout the campaign with a string of composed performances.

He joined Salford City on loan in June 2024, establishing himself in the starting XI for the Ammies. His fine form, combined with a selection of injuries for Oxford, saw the 23-year-old recalled by his parent club in January 2025 only to rejoin Salford on loan again a short time later.

He made 32 appearances in all competitions for Salford throughout the 2024/25 campaign.