Bristol Rovers make it seven signings in seven days with defensive duo confirmed over weekend

Bristol Rovers completed a double swoop over the weekend to make it seven signings so far this summer, confirming the arrivals of right-back Joel Senior and centre-back Taylor Moore.

The defensive duo have signed two and three-year deals respectively with the Gas and, as has been a common trend with Rovers' arrivals thus far, both also have the option of a further season integrated into their contracts.

Senior's arrival was more of a surprise after Bristol Live reported last month that the Gas were closing in on a deal to sign Moore with the 25-year-old joining from Morecambe after an outstanding campaign in League Two.

Having helped Carlisle United to promotion from the fourth tier two seasons ago, the right-back was somewhat unlucky to not get the opportunity to compete in League One, joining the Shrimps last summer instead. However, now the former Burnley Under-21s will have the chance to compete in the third tier for the first time in his career.

"I’m delighted to sign with Bristol Rovers,” Senior told club media. “When I first heard about the chance of coming to Rovers, I wanted to jump at the opportunity. This is a big club with a superb fanbase, and has everything a footballer would want.

“From the outside looking in, I could see how big of a club this is. Since I’ve come in and been around the training ground, you can see what a top facility this is and all the coaches and staff here are brilliant as well. As a footballer, you honestly can’t ask for anything more.

“I’ve been told about the club’s ambitions and how they align with the manager’s vision, and I can’t wait to help fulfil those targets. I’m glad to be here and I can’t wait to get going.”

Meanwhile, Moore will be a name a lot more familiar to Gasheads having spent seven years at Bristol City, although that period did include six loan spells.

The defender did get the opportunity to play somewhat regularly for the Robins in the Championship during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons but then went out on loan to Hearts and Shrewsbury Town before being released by City last summer.

Having grown up in France, beginning his professional career with Lens, the Englishman opted to return to his old homeland when signing for second-tier side Valenciennes. However, in a tough campaign which ended in relegation for Les Atheniens, Moore made 22 appearances across all competitions and saw his contract mutually terminated in April.

At 27, the centre-back boasts plenty of experience while admitting himself that this stage of his career is particularly important. “It feels good to be here,” Moore said. “It was a big decision and the biggest emotion I’m feeling right now is pure excitement. I’m really, really happy to be here and continue my journey in football.

”With where the club is at now and where it’s trying to get to, there is a lot of ambition to push up the table in League One as much as possible and eventually become a Championship team. That ambition is here, it’s been stated by the manager and, as a player, you want to go somewhere with that project and ambition.

“This is a big stage for me personally in my career. I want to be somewhere I feel settled and really part of the project. The ambition is to build and push on at Bristol Rovers and it really does make this move feel like the right fit.”

Rovers players are due to return to The Quarters for day one of pre-season today which will also give the new arrivals the opportunity to meet their new teammates. So far, the Gas have confirmed the signings of midfielder Isaac Hutchinson, left-backs Clinton Mola and Bryant Bilongo, forward Ruel Sotiriou and centre-back Dan Ellison as well as Senior and Moore.