Bristol Rovers sign former Bristol City defender Moore

Taylor Moore's most recent English experience was a season on loan from Bristol City to Shrewsbury in 2022-23

Bristol Rovers have made their sixth summer signing by bringing former Bristol City defender Taylor Moore back to English football.

Moore has signed a three-year deal with the Pirates after a season in France playing in Ligue 2 for Valenciennes.

The deal, which has the option for a further year, is subject to FA and EFL ratification.

The arrival of the former England Under-19 international follows the signings of fellow defenders Joel Senior from Morecambe, Dan Ellison from National League South side Chippenham Town and Clinton Mola from Reading, as well as striker Ruel Sotiriou from Leyton Orient and Walsall midfielder Isaac Hutchinson.

"He is a proven defender at this level, he's at a good age and I believe he will add strength, depth and competition," said Rovers manager Matt Taylor.

London-born Moore made 60 Bristol City appearances in seven years at the club after starting his career in professional football in France at Lens.

He went out on loan six times in that time - to Bury, Cheltenham, Southend, Blackpool, Hearts and Shrewsbury - before moving to Valenciennes in 2023.

“This is a big stage for me personally in my career," said Moore. "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. It really does make this move feel like the right fit.”

"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."