Ex-Bristol Rovers striker now without a club at 27 after release from League One club

A member of Bristol Rovers’ 2020/21 squad currently finds himself without a club at the age of 27 after being released from League One side Wycombe Wanderers.

Brandon Hanlan came through the academy at Charlton Athletic but struggled for game time at the Valley. He enjoyed loan moves further down the pyramid with Bromley and Colchester United before eventually moving on a permanent to Gillingham.

After scoring 13 goals in 74 matches for the Kent-based side he made a move to Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2020 and joined a team which seemed to have consolidated themselves in the third-tier after a steady 14th placed finish. Hanlan made an impact at Rovers with seven goals and two assists from 42 matches but was unable to prevent the team from suffering relegation as the Gas finished in 24th position with just 38 points all season.

How Brandon Hanlan has fared since leaving Bristol Rovers

Brandon Hanlan played just one game at the start of the 2021/22 season before joining Wycombe on a three-year deal. At the time, manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "He's an all-rounder who can score all types of goals, with his head and both feet, and his hold-up play is a big asset as well. It's taken a lot of hard work to get this deal done, because there was a lot of interest in him from other clubs, but we're delighted that he's now a Wycombe Wanderers player."

Hanlan will have had hopes of reaching the Championship after signing for a side that had only just been relegated from the second tier. He showed signs of promise with six goals from 36 matches in his first season as the Chairboys fell short in the play-off final against Sunderland.

But over the next three seasons, he’d find first team opportunities much harder to come by, scoring just five goals across the last three seasons. Hanlan spent time on loan at fellow League One side Stevenage towards the end of last season and found the net twice. He made 16 appearances in total including a substitute appearance against Rovers in a 1-0 away victory.

What next for Brandon Hanlan?

Brandon Hanlan is currently searching for a new club after a four-year association with Wycombe Wanderers. A club statement said: “Brandon worked extremely hard to battle back from his year-long injury and that speaks volumes for his determination and resilience.”

He, like fellow striker Sam Vokes and eight other first team stars, is available to be purchased on a free transfer this summer after leaving Adams Park. Hanlan is expected to attract interest from clubs in both League One and League Two after an injury-hit two seasons and will hope to return to his best with regular football next term.

Joey Barton admitted he rated Hanlan highly during his time with the Gas but said the player ultimately had his head turned at the time by offers in a higher league. Rovers boss Darrell Clarke has never previously worked with Hanlan but his availability could be something to keep an eye on ahead of the new League Two season.

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