Bristol Rovers have terminated Zain Westbrooke's contract by mutual consent, the club announced on Monday.
The midfielder has been on the fringes of Joey Barton's squad for the past 18 months, making just three appearances this season, summing up a miserable spell in BS7.
The 26-year-old joined the Gas on a three-year deal from Coventry City in 2020, coming with rave reviews, but he was part of the squad that finished bottom of the table and was related to League Two that season.
Since then, he has made just 12 appearances for the Gas in all competitions, with Barton admitting on several occasions Westbrooke did not have a prominent future at the club; indeed the Gas tried and failed to move him on last summer.
Westbrooke did have a loan spell at Stevenage last season, briefly being reunited with Paul Tisdale, but a 12-game stint at the Lamex Stadium did not help his fortunes when he returned to the Gas.
With Barton intent on making further additions to his squad before the end of the January transfer window, Westbrooke's playing chances were more remote than ever and both parties have agreed to terminate his contract six months early.
"Bristol Rovers and Zain Westbrooke have mutually agreed to terminate his playing contract with the club," a Rovers spokesman said.
"We would like to thank Zain for his efforts at the club and wish him all the best for the future."
Westbrooke made 60 appearances for the Gas in all competitions, scoring four goals and registering nine assists, and he is able to pursue new opportunities as a free agent.
For Rovers, Westbrooke's salary was not an insignificant sum after arriving as one of the major signings in the summer of 2020 under Ben Garner, freeing up resources for Barton in the transfer market as he vies to make further additions before the January 31 deadline.
Westbrooke is Rovers' fourth departure of the January window so far following the exits of Bobby Thomas, Trevor Clarke and Alfie Kilgour. Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and defender Jarell Quansah have joined the Gas.
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