Bristol Rovers transfer target opts against move

Bristol Rovers will have to look elsewhere after one of their reported transfer targets joined a new club.

Maxim Kouogun was linked with a move to the Memorial Stadium back in October, and York City first-team coach Kingsley James even addressed the speculation about a possible move to the Gas. An approach hadn't been made when reports broke, but admitted that there was interest, which they viewed as a positive reflection on Kougoun and the club that a move to the Football League had been proposed.

A transfer in January didn't take place, and he remained at the LNER Community Stadium for the whole 2022/23 season. The 26-year-old however has now departed the Minstermen, but will be dropping down a league, rather than going up one or two.

Kougun has opted to leave York City, who finished 19th in the National League, for Scunthorpe United who finished 23rd, suffering a second successive relegation, with their last Football League match being a 7-0 defeat to Rovers. Scunthorpe are going to play in the National League North, and he has been brought in to help the Iron win promotion at the first time of asking.

"I'm delighted to be here," he said when arriving at Glanford Park. I spoke to the gaffer about the project at the club and where they see it going, and it's something I'm very interested in and glad to be part of.

"The signings we're making shows the ambition the club's got and how we're looking to go in the right direction. I'm happy to be part of that. I had a really good time at York and it's sad to be leaving them, but I'm looking forward to trying to achieve something here now.

"I like to defend first and foremost, and then build from the back. I've got pace and just give 110 per cent for the football club and my team-mates. It's good to know where I'll be next season, recharge and then return for training, meeting my new team-mates at the end of June."

Kougun spent a year-and-a-half with York and made 37 appearances last term, which was in addition to the 25 he made to help York win promotion throuh the play-offs. He was once at Harrogate Town and was a teammate of James Belshaw. His move to Scunthorpe does highlight that perhaps he was not a priority to Rovers, and that Joey Barton has other irons in the fire.