Darrell Clarke sets transfer wish for rest of window as Bristol Rovers look to finalise squad

Bristol Rovers have signed nine players so far this summer but have now seen Connor Taylor and Kofi Shaw depart

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

17:00, 07 Aug 2025

Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke applauds the fans(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)

Darrell Clarke has revealed that he would still like four more players to be signed by Bristol Rovers before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Rovers confirmed the exit of last campaign’s player of the year Connor Taylor to Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday afternoon while academy graduate Kofi Shaw joined Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion last week and will be part of the Seagulls’ under-21s set up.

At the time of writing, the Gas have brought in nine new players with Swiss striker Fabrizio Cavegn their latest addition. Clarke, though, is still eyeing bringing in a handful more players over the coming weeks.

Although the Rovers head coach is keen to work with a smaller squad, outgoings have left gaps that need to be replaced alongside the addition of a few more bodies.

“We need four new players, in my opinion,” Clarke said ahead of this weekend’s trip to Fleetwood Town. “Four new players before the window shuts. We’re working hard with the recruitment team and Ricky [Martin] to make sure that we get the right personality.

“But it can’t be rushed. It can’t scatter gun recruitment. It has to be a real focus about it.

“The Championship’s not even started yet as well. The Premier League hasn’t started as well. So what happens is there’s a bit of a knockdown from that. Some players that wouldn’t have been playing in League One, Championship and those teams will start becoming available.

“So we’ve got to be patient, but we want the best calibre of players we can at the right prices.”

Bristol Rovers are preparing for a new season in League Two with Darrell Clarke back at the helm and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

Bristol Live understands that the Pirates are in the market for at least one centre-back following Taylor’s departure while additions in midfield are also being targeted.

Further exits are possible with director of football Ricky Martin planning to be trading until the very end of the window.

Sales are being used to facilitate incomings, as seen with Shaw’s sale allowing Rovers to purchase Cavegn from FC Vaduz. The hope is that some of the fee received for Taylor, which is being reported to be in the region of £600,000 as well as add-ons, can also be used in the market. The same applies to any other potential future outgoings.

Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

Asked if he was confident all of his players want to be at Rovers, Clarke declared: “Listen, if they don’t they know where the door is. I’ve said this to every player and I’ve said this, not just now, but I’ve said it at most clubs I’ve been at. If they don’t want to be here they can go. If they’re worth a valuation for the football club, we’ll try and maximise that valuation.

“But as things stand at the minute, the players are working hard, they’re focused in the training, focused on the drills we’re trying to do. They’re getting a lot of information. They’re getting a lot of work. There’s building layers to that work and we’re at the bottom of the layers, if I’m honest with you. So they’re getting a lot of that information and they’re taking it on board hopefully and hopefully we’ll see that when the games come thick and fast.”

Darrell Clarke sets transfer wish for rest of window as Bristol Rovers look to finalise squad

Tags: