Kilgour and Southam-Hales join Rovers as Wilson exits

Alfie Kilgour made more than a century of appearances for Bristol Rovers before leaving for Mansfield

Bristol Rovers have signed defenders Alfie Kilgour and Macauley Southam-Hales on free transfers.

The news comes as centre-back James Wilson leaves the club by mutual consent.

Kilgour, 27, joined the Stags from Rovers in January 2023 but much of his time at the club was disrupted by long-term injury after rupturing his Achilles tendon the summer after he signed.

He made 46 appearances for Mansfield in total, with 17 during the last campaign awhen he was in and out of the squad.

The Bath-born centre-half joined Bristol Rovers aged seven and went on to play 118 games after progressing from the academy to the first team.

He previously worked with boss Darrell Clarke during his first spell at the club.

"It feels absolutely amazing to be back," Kilgour told the club website.

"I class Bristol Rovers as my home, so it's good to be back home for sure.

"It's a fresh start and it is new beginnings, and some might even say there is a bit of unfinished business."

Head coach Clarke added: "It was a little under 10 years ago that I included Alfie in a Rovers squad for the first time, while he was still with our Under 18s.

"He has developed into an excellent player who still has room to get even better, and I am excited that he has come home, and we have the chance to work together again."

Full-back Southam-Hales moves to the Memorial Stadium on a two-year deal after rejecting an offer to stay at Stockport County.

The 29-year-old, who is the third defender to move to the club after Jack Sparkes joined earlier this week, played more than 100 games for County since joining in 2020.

He helped them win promotion from the National League in 2022 and League Two last year, before reaching the League One play-offs last month.

"I heard about the interest, and there are some links to Stockport with some of the staff up there who were here," Southam-Hales said.

"They spoke highly about Bristol Rovers, and I really can't wait to get going and get down here.

"I met the gaffer and took to him immediately. It was really eye-opening to see the project going on behind the scenes and where the club wants to go and the ambition and the training facilities," he added.

Rovers director of football Ricky Martin said Southam-Hales had some of the "best" character references he had ever received from other players and coaches.

"Which speaks to the type of person we are bringing to the club," Martin said.

"He is very attack-minded, will look to get on the front foot, and will suit the playing style that we want to implement this season."

Veteran Wilson departs after two seasons

James Wilson began his career at Bristol City and has played mpre than 400 games for 10 different sides

Wilson's departure follows a decision by the club to trigger a one-year extension in his contract last month.

The 36-year-old, who won a cap for Wales in 2013, played 80 times for Rovers after arriving from Plymouth Argyle in 2023.

He started all 46 of the club's League One matches last season and scored three goals for the club over his two-year spell.

"Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to thank James for all his efforts during his time with the Gas and wishes him well in his future career," a club statement read.