Kilgour rejoins Bristol Rovers as Wilson leaves
Bristol Rovers have re-signed defender Alfie Kilgour on a free transfer following his release from Mansfield Town. The news comes as central-back James Wilson leaves the club by mutual consent. Kilgour, 27, joined the Stags from Rovers in January 2023 but much of his time at the club was disrupted by long-term injury after rupturing his Achilles tendon the summer after he signed.He made 46 appearances for Mansfield in total, with 17 during the last campaign awhen he was in and out of the squad.The Bath-born centre-half joined Bristol Rovers aged seven and went on to play 118 games after progressing from the academy to the first team.He previously worked with boss Darrell Clarke during his first spell at the club.
"It feels absolutely amazing to be back," Kilgour told the club website."I class Bristol Rovers as my home, so it's good to be back home for sure. "It's a fresh start and it is new beginnings, and some might even say there is a bit of unfinished business."Head coach Clarke added: "It was a little under 10 years ago that I included Alfie in a Rovers squad for the first time, while he was still with our Under 18s."He has developed into an excellent player who still has room to get even better, and I am excited that he has come home, and we have the chance to work together again."
Wilson's departure follows a decision by the club to trigger a one-year extension in his contract last month.The 36-year-old, who won a cap for Wales in 2013, played 80 times for Rovers after arriving from Plymouth Argyle in 2023.He started all 46 of the club's League One matches last season and scored three goals for the club over his two-year spell. "Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to thank James for all his efforts during his time with the Gas and wishes him well in his future career," a club statement read.
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