Bristol Rovers have tempted defender James Gibbons away from last season’s promotion rivals Port Vale with the versatile defender signing a two-year contract at the Gas.
Gibbons made 31 appearances in all competitions last season, including Vale’s 2-1 win at the Mem in December, as Darrell Clarke’s Vale secured passage into League One via the play-offs, but his contract had expired this month.
The 24-year-old was offered a new deal to stay with his boyhood club, having grown up a Vale fan and been there since the age of 11, but Joey Barton has convinced him to move to the West Country and he’ll join the rest of the squad for the start of pre-season from Monday.
“We are really pleased to secure James’ signature,” Barton said. “He has proved himself to be a strong, adaptable and versatile defender, who at just 24 years-of-age has excellent football league experience.
“He comes into our squad on the back of a superb promotion-winning season with Port Vale and, along with his football ability, his character and mind-set will be a real asset to our group. I am delighted to have him with us and we would all like to welcome him to Bristol Rovers.”
He did have his injury issues last term, missing the start of the season with a hamstring problem and then suffering ankle ligament trouble earlier this year but started the play-off final win against Mansfield Town at Wembley as a right-sided centre-back in a 3-4-3.
Gibbons has made 128 appearances for Vale over five full seasons, predominantly operating as a right-sided full-back and wing-back, but he also played significant minutes on the left last season.
Luca Hoole was Rovers’ only real recognised right-back last season, enjoying a breakthrough campaign after developing through the academy, but Barton also used winger Harry Anderson in the role. Over on the left, Trevor Clarke’s injury issues prevented him from cementing his place in the team, with centre-back Nick Anderton, Anderton and midfielder Josh Grant all filling in over the course of the campaign.
Gibbons was once described as “a little terrier” by now-Wales manager Rob Page who gave Gibbons his first professional deal and debut in 2016. He was also voted as Port Vale’s second-best right-back of the 2010s in a 2019 poll conducted by the Stoke Sentinel.
“I can’t wait to get started. I came through the youth set-up at Port Vale and, although they offered me a new deal, I was looking for a fresh challenge,” Gibbons said. “I played at The Mem last season and, as well as the driving rain, I remember what a great atmosphere there was.”
On Tuesday, Rovers confirmed their first summer signing with the arrival of midfielder Jordan Rossiter from Fleetwood Town. Meanwhile, goalkeeper coach Tony Warner has moved on to join Championship Reading with the Gas recruiting for his replacement in time for pre-season.
