Parkes Signs 3 Year Deal

Parkes on board

Tom Parkes explained on Wednesday that he is happy to have completed his permanent move to the club and is looking forward to getting underway for real after signing an initial emergency loan in order to be available for the Barnet game. His medical and paperwork have been completed and should be ratified by the Football League on Thursday.

The popular centre half revealed that he has signed a 3 year deal with the club but admits it came as a bit of a shock that a move materialised.

Tom knew of Rovers' interest earlier in the summer but didn't expect a move to happen as he appeared to be in Leicester manager Nigel Pearson's plans for this season. He trained well and scored in a pre-season friendly against Premier League Sunderland and therefore was surprised to hear what Pearson had to say to him when he was called in to the manager's office last week. He was told that the club had accepted a bid from Rovers for his services and it was left in his hands as to whether or not he entered in to discussions with Mark McGhee or whether he turned down the move.

Whilst most ambitious 20 year old defenders with a Championship upbringing would think twice about dropping two divisions permanently, young Tom had no doubts that he was making the right decision to link up with Rovers again on a full-time basis. He thoroughly enjoyed his time playing under McGhee last season and although he didn't anticipate coming back to the club this season he's sure he'll fit back in quickly. He's a big fan of the style of football McGhee likes to play and clearly feels flattered by our interest and investment in him. As a result of the commitment Rovers are showing him by spending a significant transfer fee for his services, he has decided a long-term 3 year deal best suits himself and the club. I'd have been disappointed if he signed a shorter length of contract with us, especially as he cost six-figures, so it's great that it's all been done and dusted. There's no underestimating the impact Parkes had on our great run of form at home towards the end of last season and many Gasheads felt it was well beyond the club to be able to entice him back on a loan deal let alone a permanent contract. Credit to the board and chairman for stumping up some serious cash for a very highly rated young defender. We've got ourselves a good one.

The fact he has signed for 3 years, just as Garry Kenneth did, suggests that MM has a vivid vision of how our defence will line up in the long-term. He sees GK and TP as our central defensive pairing for the next few years as Rovers (hopefully) enter a brand new era. I don't think it would be unwise to speculate that they could be our CB's in our first game at the UWE stadium.

I think Tom is a superb signing for us and we will benefit from a much more solid and composed back-line than we have had previously. It's a major coup for Rovers to seal his signing and they can be rather chuffed they've pulled it off. But they can't rest on their laurels - it's obvious we need another forward and midfield player so hopefully the finances are there for MM to use if he can identify a suitable target for both positions.

Welcome back Tom, here's to a successful future.