Bristol Rovers transfer news: Ex-Wolves, Birmingham City, & Middlesbrough star on trial

George Friend is on trial at Bristol Rovers as he seeks his next transfer following his exit from Birmingham City this summer.

As per the Bristol Post, Friend was at the High Performance Centre for the Gas' first day of pre-season training, and will be assessed by Joey Barton this week about a proposed move to the Memorial Stadium. Friend's contract at Birmingham wasn't renewed, and now Barton will run the rule over him, and the 35-year-old could potentially get the chance to impress him in Rovers' pre-season friendly with Melksham Town on Friday, June 30.

Friend hails from Exeter, and a move to Bristol would represent a move closer to home, as he enters the last few years of his career. He spent three years at Birmingham, and in total made 52 appearances for the Blues, with seven of those coming last season in a bit-part role. In the entire 2022/23 season, he completed just two matches, and was not included in John Eustace's squad for the final three games of the season. Rovers apparent interest in him signals a change in transfer stance, given Barton has previously favoured recruiting younger players, but adding experience to what is a youthful squad, could be beneficial, as he could share his knowledge and expertise from the 460 matches he's played in professional football.

A majority of his 18-year playing career has been spent in the Championship, making 357 appearances for the likes of Middlesbrough, Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Wolves, and Birmingham City. He did have a brief spell in League One, making 25 appearances combined for Southend United, and hometown club Exeter City. His best career achievement to date was finishing runner-up in the 2015/16 Championship with Middlesbrough, in which he was named in the PFA Team of the Year, and the Football League Team of the Season.

Should Friend's trial period be successful at Rovers, he would challenge Lewis Gordon for a starting berth, and provide the necessary squad depth that is needed for a League One promotion push. James Wilson, who was the first signing of the summer transfer window, was the first indication of Barton changing his transfer approach, with the 34-year-old getting a two-year deal.

In other news, Rovers academy graduate Ryan Broom has agreed a move to League One rivals Fleetwood Town. Broom, who began his professional football career at the Mem, made 12 appearances in three seasons for Rovers, before moving on to Eastleigh, and then getting an opportunity at Cheltenham Town.

His form at Cheltenham got him a move to Peterborough United, but the move didn't work out and he returned to Cheltenham, but now after snubbing a new deal at Whaddon Road, he has decided to make the move up north to join Fleetwood. He is their first signing of the summer transfer window, and has signed a two-year contract under Scott Brown.