Scott Sinclair’s first words since return to Bristol Rovers as admission made

Scott Sinclair has made an emotional return to Bristol Rovers - the club that he began his professional career at as a youngster back in 2004.

The 33-year-old has signed a short-term contract with the Gas until January, though if it works out for both parties, he could extend his stay at the Memorial Stadium. Sinclair had been without a club since being released by Championship club Preston North End in the summer.

He had been training with his former club Chelsea in September, the team that he departed Rovers for as a talented teenager at the time. Sinclair later held discussions with Joey Barton and it looked like a move might have faltered out but negotiations were revived and he is now a Rovers player again.

He had been training at The Quarters, the training ground which they moved in to in October 2020 after being purchased and developed by the club's owners. The Rovers boss was happy with how the former Celtic attacker looked in training and was happy with his fitness.

Announced on late Monday morning after the move was teased by the club on various social media channels, the move was confirmed. Sinclair in his first words as a Rovers player for the second time admitted it was always his intention to return to the club he first called home.

"I'm delighted to back at the place where my career began," said the ex-Man City winger. "I've been training for a couple of weeks and The Quarters is certainly very different to where we trained when I was younger!

"I've always wanted to come back to the club to give back what they've given me at the start of my footballing journey."

Sinclair is unavailable to make his debut in Rovers' EFL Trophy clash with Swindon Town at the Mem this evening. He could make his second debut against his former loan club Plymouth Argyle on Saturday however.