Bristol Rovers add two new faces on deadline day

Bristol Rovers added two new faces – winger Mark Wright and keeper Mikkel Andersen – as well as agreeing a year-long deal with shot-stopper Rhys Evans on transfer deadline day.

Bristol Rovers captured 27-year-old Wright from Brighton for an undisclosed fee less than six weeks after he joined the south coast club from MK Dons.

It is understood the Wolverhampton-born player, who is predominantly right-sided but can operate on either flank, had failed to settle in at the Seagulls.

And that gave Rovers the chance to make a fresh swoop for a player they had pursued unsuccessfully over the summer.

Wright has experienced promotion twice, first with Walsall – the club where he started his career – and then with the Dons, where he was part of the squad that also lifted the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Rovers have also boosted their goalkeeping ranks by agreeing a new deal with Evans, who was between the posts for last night’s Trophy game at Hereford, as well as landing Reading’s Danish Under-21 international Anderson on a loan deal which will keep him at the club until the end of the year.

The 6ft 5ins 20-year-old has not made a first-team appearance with the Royals but has gained league experience through loan spells at Brentford, Brighton and Torquay.

He started his career with AB Copenhagen, during which time he became the youngest keeper ever to play in Danish senior football.

Rovers’ director of football Lennie Lawrence said: "We have been chasing these transfer targets for some time and are pleased that the deals have now been done.

"We are delighted to sign Mikkel on loan,and very glad to tie Rhys up on a year's contract.

"Mark Wright was one of our main transfer targets in the summer, so it is great news that he is now a Rovers player.

"We will also looking at further loans when the emergency loan window opens in a week’s time.”

Pirates boss Paul Trollope added: “We tried to get three or four players in but managed to get two – hopefully we can bring some more in when the loan window opens.

“Mikkel is a highly-regarded young keeper who has had a few loan stints at other clubs and has made good progress this year. Rhys has signed for a year, so that will be good competition.

“Mark is a player we spoke to over the summer but we couldn’t do the deal at the time and he went to Brighton.

 

“He’s an old-fashioned winger who can play on both sides and has the pace and quality we have been looking to add to the squad. We needed to strengthen that area.”

 

Rovers saw transfer-listed forward Lewis Haldane – who spent last season at Oxford – joining League Two outfit Port Vale for an initial month.Rovers also saw one player go out on loan with transfer-listed forward Lewis Haldane – who spent the whole of last season at Oxford – joining League Two outfit Port Vale for an initial month.