Bristol Rovers sign Aston Villa and Stockport County defenders in double deadline day swoop

Bristol Rovers concluded their January transfer business with an eleventh hour double swoop for Lamar Bogarde and Callum MacDonald on deadline day.

The Gas’ final transfer window activity was completed in the dying embers, as predicted by Joey Barton - who added centre back Bogarde and left-back Calum Macdonald to his squad with minutes to go of the window closing. Both moves are subject to the EFL confirming their registrations but there should be no hitches.

Barton said that he wanted five new faces in the aftermath of the 5-1 to Morecambe, but will have to settle with just the clubs two new arrivals. Rovers can sign players outside of the transfer window providing they are not currently contracted to the club and were released inside January.

Bogarde joins on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa until the end of the season, adding depth to the centre of defence after the departures of Bobby Thomas and Alfie Kilgour this window. Thomas was recalled by Burnley and later loaned out to Barnsley, whilst Kilgour was sold to Mansfield Town.

The 19-year-old is in line to make his professional debut when MK Dons visit the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, after appearing three times for the Villains’ Under-21’s side so far this season.

Bogarde is not the only defensive reinforcement to make the move to the West Country, with the signing of left-back Calum Macdonald confirmed with one minute to spare on a free transfer from Stockport County.

MacDonald joined the League Two side on a short term deal in October, after his deal expired at Tranmere Rovers in the summer. The 25-year-old originally signed a deal to keep him at Edgeley Park until January, and was in fact an unused substitute for Stockport this evening against Crewe Alexandra.

The Scotland Under-21 international appeared for Stockport ten times this season, and will provide cover and competition for places after Trevor Clarke was allowed to leave. Lewis Gordon was the only recognised left-back in the squad and in recent weeks, Scott SInclair had played on the left-hand side as a wing-back.