Bristol Rovers sign Nick Anderton, Paul Coutts, Sam Finley and Mark Hughes

Nick Anderton joins Bristol Rovers having made 44 appearances for Carlisle United in 2020-21

Bristol Rovers have signed Nick Anderton, Paul Coutts, Sam Finley and Mark Hughes on free transfers.

Carlisle defender Anderton, 25, and Fleetwood midfielder Finley, 28, have agreed two-year deals with the Pirates.

Fleetwood midfielder Coutts, 32, and Accrington Stanley defender Hughes, 34, have been handed one-year contracts at the Memorial Stadium.

Rovers were relegated from League One this season following a five-year spell in the third tier.

"It's nice to get business done early in the window," boss Joey Barton told the club website.

"The four of them are certainly a foundation for a nucleus of a new team, alongside the existing players, as we start to build a platform to help us get promoted next season."

Both Anderton and Hughes had been offered contracts by their respective clubs, while Coutts and Finley were released by Fleetwood earlier this month.

The moves will be completed when the transfer window reopens on 1 July.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.