Zak Jules turns down Exeter City contract and joins Rotherham United

Exeter City have been dealt a blow ahead of the 2024/25 League One season with defender Zak Jules turning down the offer of a new contract and leaving for Rotherham United

The Grecians have been in discussions with the 27-year-old, who had a one-year extension put into his deal after joining last summer, for some time. City were in fact keen to offer him longer than that 12-month extension, but have been thwarted by the ambitious Millers, who are seeking an immediate return to the Championship.

Under new boss Steve Evans, the Yorkshiremen have already made eight signings with the Scot building a squad that looks certain to be among the frontrunners in League One next season. But for City and their manager Gary Caldwell, it is a blow to lose a defender of some quality and one of the stand out players in 2023/24.

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Jules made 47 appearances in his sole season with Grecians after joining from MK Dons for a nominal fee last July. He scored two goals - the first came in a 3-2 defeat at Reading on New Year’s Day and the second in the 4-2 win over Port Vale.

“I had a conversation with the gaffer (Evans) which went really, really positively,” he said. “He discussed the ambitions of the football club and what he wants to achieve and he thought I could be a big part of it and I was quite excited to jump on board and be a part of the journey.

“When the manager told me what he wanted to achieve and how confident he was when expressing his aims for the season, I had no doubt that this was the place where I wanted to be.”