Bristol Rovers set to capitalise on Reading FC player call | OneFootball

Clinton Mola looks set secure a move to another League One club

Bristol Rovers are close to the signing of defender Cliton Mola after his departure from League One rivals Reading FC.

That's according to a report from Bristol Live, who have provided the update the Gas' search for new signings.

Mola spent several years in the youth system at Chelsea, but never made a senior appearance for the club, before leaving to join Stuttgart in 2020.

The former England youth international then returned to his home country for the 2022/23 season, which he spent on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Having made just a handful of appearances for the Ewood Park club, he was then released by Stuttgart in the summer of 2023, after his loan deal came to an end.

With Mola then spending last season at Reading, it now looks as though the 23-year-old is set to secure another new club in the near future.

Bristol Rovers close in on Clinton Mola signing

After signing a one-year deal with Reading last summer, the defender was then released by the club earlier this summer.

However, it appears he could be set to remain in League One regardless of that, with this latest update claiming that Bristol Rovers are now closing in on the signing of Mola.

The Gas made their first signing of the summer transfer window earlier this week. That came when midfielder Isaac Hutchinson arrived on a three-year deal from League Two side Walsall.

Last season, Bristol Rovers finished 15th in the League One table, well adrift of the play-off places, and comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Reading meanwhile, claimed a 17th place finish in the third-tier standings, 11 points clear of the bottom four, despite being deducted six points as a result of their financial issues.

During his time with the Royals, Mola made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Royals, failing to score and providing one assist in that time.

Clinton Mola could be a good addition at The Memorial Stadium

It does look as though the signing of Mola could be a useful one for Bristol Rovers to make this summer.

While it was something of a slow start to life at Reading for him, the defender did improve as the season went on to.

As a result, he could now be a reliable asset at that level for the Gas, and may even be able to make more of an impression as he gets more game time under his belt here.

Mola also offers plenty of versatility, although he mainly operates at left-back, which is also important for Bristol Rovers.

The retirement of George Friend and the departures of the likes of Lewis Gordon and Harvey Vale mean that they do not currently have any options on that side of their defence.

That ensures that Mola ought to fill an important role once he arrives at The Memorial Stadium, and signing him on a free transfer makes this something of a low-risk deal.

With all that in mind, it looks as though this could turn out to be a sensible piece of business for Bristol Rovers, as they look to step up their activity in the transfer window.