Former Bristol Rovers, Sunderland and Peterborough United defender named captain of Scottish top flight club

A former Bristol Rovers star has been named as the new club captain of a Scottish Premiership side ahead of the 2023/24 domestic season.

Jack Baldwin, who spent one full season with The Gas in 2020/21, will wear the armband for current club Ross County who he joined directly from Rovers two years ago. The 30-year old initially moved to the Memorial Stadium on a two year contract in July 2020 but saw his deal terminated after just one season before moving north of the border.

During his time with Rovers, who he joined from Sunderland following a loan spell with Salford City, Baldwin made 45 appearances across all competitions with the club ending the season bottom of League One and relegated to League Two. He made three appearances early in the 2021/22 season but had his contract torn up with a year still remaining so that he was free to move to the Dingwall based Staggies.

Baldwin was already a veteran of the English Football League by the time he arrived at Rovers having played 100 competitive matches for Peterborough United between 2014 and 2018 having previously been at Hartlepool United. He has been a regular for Ross County since his move to Scotland and helped them secure top flight survival last season via the play-offs where they beat Partick Thistle on penalties to avoid dropping into the Scottish Championship.

His first competitive match as captain of the Highlands based club will come this Saturday when they travel to League Two side Stranraer for the opening match of the Viaplay Cup (Scottish League Cup) group stage. County, who are managed by former Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic boss Malky MacKay, begin their 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season on August 5 with an incredibly difficult trip to Celtic Park where they will take on the reigning champions.