Jed Ward is the latest player to leave Bristol Rovers after signing for Walsall on Friday
16:41, 10 Jul 2026Updated 22:57, 10 Jul 2026
Isaac Hutchinson of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Colchester United at Memorial Stadium on 17 January 2026. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Seven Bristol Rovers players were made available for transfer or loan in May, including Luke Southwood, Taylor Moore, Isaac Hutchinson, Josh McEachran, Kamil Conteh, Macauley Southam-Hales, and Jed Ward.
The latter departed to join Walsall on Friday, while Conteh signed for last season’s League One champions, Bromley, on Thursday.
So, what is the latest with the other five players? We’ve taken a look at the situation for each, with Steve Evans providing clarity on a couple of their futures in an interview with BBC Radio Bristol on Friday, July 10.
Luke Southwood
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on July 10, Evans said: “Luke continues his conversations with two or three different clubs. But again, up until yesterday, Jed Ward was in the building and doing everything well.
“Luke has been in this morning and trained very well, and unless something immediate happens, which is unlikely in the next 24 hours, he’ll play a part in the game at Salisbury tomorrow.”
He added: “We would keep Luke Southwood every day of the week, as we would have kept Jed Ward, and we were under no pressure to move those two goalkeepers out.
“Both were told that if they decided they wanted to stay and fight Brad Young, they could stay and take that fight on, and it was up to them.
“So there was no pressure on the budget or pressure on me. In fact, I think there were conversations at the board level where it was, ‘Shall we keep them?'”.
Taylor Moore
Unknown
Isaac Hutchinson
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on July 10, Evans said: “I think with Isaac, it’s very simple. Two or three bids have come in, and two or three bids have been turned down by our board. And it’s simple because they’ve not met the valuation placed.
“There were recommendations by me, but the Chairman sets the value ultimately with his fellow directors. They’ve set the value. Those interested clubs have been made aware of that, as are the people who look after Isaac.
“They’ve not met that value, he goes nowhere. We’ll treat him as if he’s going to be here and part of our plans. If a club triggers the valuation, I’ve given my word to Isaac on behalf of the board that if that valuation is met, he will be given permission to go and have his own personal chats.
“But, at the minute, he’s in the building, and it’s looking like he could be with us.”
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Josh McEachran
Unknown
Kamil Conteh
Joined Bromley FC on Thursday, July 9
Macauley Southam-Hales
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on July 10, Evans said: “I had a conversation with our Chairman and board regarding Macauley in a board meeting earlier this week, and I said there’s no reason why, with the position that Macauley has come back in, the state of play, his fitness levels are improving every day.
“So, we’re not rushing to say Macauley has to leave the football club. Again, I have a number of options in that area if we wish to go into the transfer market, but Macauley’s come back in a shape that says I deserve to be given a few weeks in pre-season to show his fitness levels, or where they should be. But so far, so good for Macca.”
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Jed Ward
Joined Walsall on Friday, July 10, for an undisclosed fee, on a three year deal.
Ward came through the Pirates’ Academy and made 42 appearances for the Gas across all competitions, winning Rovers’ Young Player of the Year award in the 2023/24 campaign.
The shot-stopper spent last season on loan at National League outfit Yeovil Town, keeping 11 clean sheets in 46 appearances and winning the Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season award.
“I can’t wait to get started here,” he said.
“I know the size of the club and where it wants to get to and after speaking to people who have been involved at this club in the past it was evident that this is where I want to play my football for the foreseeable.
“I’ve had a few conversations with the gaffer and it excites me even more, his project and ideas are exactly what will get the best out of me which makes me so eager to get going now.
“I think we should be very excited entering this season – ultimately we need to take it game by game and see how far we can get but I’m willing to give everything to the club regardless and give the fans a season to remember.”
Head Coach Lee Grant is pleased to add Jed to the squad and is looking forward to working with him.
“I’m delighted to bring Jed to the club,” he said.
“He’s a keeper who has had plenty of experience at a young age but crucially, retains that eagerness to develop and improve.
“Jed adds another dimension to our backline and I’m excited to see him show his personality and skill whilst giving everything to help this team.
“We have tracked Jed’s progress over a long period of time and worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to make this deal a reality, so it’s a real coup for the club. I look forward to working with him and seeing him out there in front of our supporters.”
The transfer is subject to EFL and FA clearance.