Former Bristol Rovers forward with 85 EFL goals ‘agrees’ transfer to struggling League Two side


Former Bristol Rovers striker Tom Nichols has reportedly agreed a January loan move to League Two strugglers Swindon Town.
Football League World reports that the out-of-favour Mansfield Town striker has agreed to make a move to the County Ground in a bid to help Ian Holloway’s side beat the drop after a difficult start to the season.
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Hide AdThe Wiltshire based side currently sit 22nd in the League Two table with just 24 points from their opening 25 matches, leaving them just four points clear of Morecambe in the relegation battle having played one game extra.
Tom Nichols career so far
Tom Nichols is an experienced EFL striker, who made a name for himself in 2011 when he progressed through the Exeter City academy. Nichols racked up 112 appearances during his time at St James Park and found the net on 36 occasions before agreeing to join Peterborough in 2016.
The 5ft 10in forward won praise by then manager Grant McCann for his hold up play and spent two seasons with the London Road club before moving to a Bristol Rovers side that had been in contention for the play-offs the year prior to his arrival. Nichols joined Bristol Rovers for a fee of around £350,000 in July 2017 but struggled to meet expectations in his first season after scoring one goal in 39 appearances at League One level. Nevertheless he remained a regular starter the following season but was only able to score once in 36 games despite improving his overall game by contributing seven assists.
The Wellington-born forward scored twice in 19 matches during his final season before being released on a free transfer. Nichols admitted after his departure that his time at Bristol Rovers "didn't go to plan", but that he does "look back with fondness", via the Bristol Post.
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Hide AdSince leaving the Memorial Stadium has played the bulk of his football in League Two, most notably at Crawley Town where he scored 29 times in 109 appearances across all competitions. He has also enjoyed spells at Gillingham and most recently Mansfield Town, who he helped achieve promotion from League Two last term. Nichols has played just 82 minutes of League One football throughout the entirety of this season, with all five of his appearances coming from the bench. He has not featured in the league since October, with Will Evans and Lee Gregory being preferred in attack.
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