The former Bristol City defender is likely to become the centrepiece in Joey Barton’s defence for the 2023/24 League One season

Bristol Rovers have confirmed the signing of James Wilson on a free transfer after the Gas fought off late competition from League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers to sign the experienced defender.

Wilson underwent a two-stage medical at The Quarters, which started last week and was concluded on Thursday – with a short break to Ibiza in between – to complete his Bristol homecoming, with the 34-year-old having started his 15-year professional career south of the river at Bristol City and friends and family still based here.

The centre-back has been coveted by Joey Barton since the end of last season when it became increasingly clear the Gas needed a defensive leader with in-game nous and the necessary experience to close matches out.

Wilson was a key part of the Plymouth Argyle side who secured the League One title but had only been offered a short-term deal to stay at Home Park and has signed a two-year contract at the Mem.

His emergence on the free agent market attracted interest from elsewhere in the EFL with Swindon Town and Bolton Wanderers among those who had made initial enquiries and Bristol Live has learned that Wycombe made a late attempt to sign him but Wilson was already committed to the Gas.

Wilson joins James Connolly, Luca Hoole and, to a lesser extent, James Gibbons as Barton’s centre-back options, indicating more in his position will follow this summer as the Rovers manager lost two of his regulars in Jarell Quansah and Lewis Gibson following their loan returns to Liverpool and Everton, respectively.

Rovers are interested in signing Gibson on a permanent basis but accept they will have to wait their turn as the 22-year-old has interest in the Championship plus the Toffees’ surprise decision to award him a new contract means they will be eligible for compensation, should he leave Goodison ParK