Bristol Rovers to sign Stoke City’s Connor Taylor as defender undergoes medical
Stoke City defender Connor Taylor is undergoing a medical ahead of joining Bristol Rovers in a £300,000 deal.
The 21-year old enjoyed a successful loan spell with Joey Barton’s side in 2021-22 where the manager described the young centre-back as ‘a colossus’.
His performances alerted a number of clubs but he underwent surgery on a heart issue at the end of that season.
Taylor came back to play 18 games for Stoke last season but fell out of favour under Alex Neil. Rovers tried to sign him back in January but bids were rejected.
Championship side Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley both made approaches again in recent weeks but Barton has been persistent and is hoping to get his man finally signed up today.
Stoke are looking to sign defender Luke McNally on loan from Burnley and are ready to open talks with Greek side Aris over a deal for Luis Palma.
The 23-year old Honduras international winger, valued around £3.5m, has had interest from Rangers, Watford and Trabzonspor this summer.
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Bristol Rovers have confirmed a new ownership structure after the EFL approved Hussain AlSaeed’s purchase of majority shares in Dwane Sports, the holding company for Rovers, a club statement said.
Mr AlSaeed has acquired 55% of Dwane Sports, and he will now join Wael Al Qadi (40.5%) and Samer Al Qadi (4.5%) as co-owners of the company, and as a result, the football club.
As part of the process, debt owed to Dwane Sports has been capitalised, meaning that apart from ordinary trade creditors, the club is substantively debt free.
Wael Al Qadi had been in advanced talks with the Kuwaiti businessman in recent days over selling a majority stake, in a move that would see Jordanian retain his position as club president.
Additional investment is now expected in the playing budget this summer window. The Gas have seen a £300,000 bid accepted for former loanee and League Two promotion hero Connor Taylor, however, the deal for the defender is believed to independent of the fresh finances.
AlSaaed is making his first venture into European football, having been present at pre-season friendlies this summer, meeting manager Joey Barton, before visiting the Memorial Ground and The Quarters training centre.
The new owner has also been part of discussions alongside club representatives over a proposed development at the fruit market in St Phillip’s Marsh, which could provide a new home for the football club as they look to move from their current 12,300 capacity stadium.
Ambitious plans have been put in place to improve facilities and the number of the seats at the Memorial Ground, however, the redevelopment of the South Stand will not be complete by the first game of
In a statement, Mr AlSaeed said: “I am privileged to join Wael as a partner of BRFC. I have been a huge football fan for many years, and it has always been my ambition to own a stake in a club. BRFC is the one club that I most desired to be a part of, due to its great fanbase and future potential.
“From this day on, I assure the fans that we will be working tirelessly on the sustainability and growth of the football club. Rovers are a club with huge potential that is still untapped, and it is our duty to make sure that we do everything possible to improve the current state.
“I have really enjoyed my time in the lovely city of Bristol, and I hope to contribute to the community in the best manner possible.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our beloved fans for their continuous support to the club. I look forward to meeting you all at our first home game of the upcoming season.”
It appears to be hugely exciting times in Bristol. The fresh investment could be a huge difference in how they conduct their transfer business in these final few weeks of the window, having already committed to huge outgoing fees in recent days. Retaining Wael Al Qadi as club president will also reassure fans and provide stability going into this new chapter.
Despite the disappointing news that the South Stand will not be complete in time for the opening fixture, it is promising that the board continue to invest in the infrastructure at the club, especially ahead of a proposed move of location. Could Bristol Rovers be the dark horses that push towards the play-offs?
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