Tom Parkes Up

Tom Parkes has agreed a move to Bristol Rovers

Rovers have agreed arguably their best signing of the summer so far with the announcement this morning that Tom Parkes will join the club... on a permanent deal. He will sign for us subject to a medical and will link up with his new team-mates later today and could play a part against Barnet tomorrow evening.

We can only assume it is costing the club a significant fee as Leicester wouldn't entertain a permanent deal for Parkes earlier this summer. A breakthrough was made over the weekend and our star performer in the second half of last season will sign a contract with us. No details on the length of contract has been disclosed although fellow centre half Garry Kenneth was given a 3 year deal when he signed, so Parkes may get the same. There's not a chance we'd pay a fee for a talented young centre back and not give him at least a 2 year deal, so we have got some comfort should Parkes attract interest from elsewhere with further good performances for us this season.

It is widely believed there are a number of add-ons that we'd need to pay Leicester but they would all be worth it with Parkes shoring up our defence and helping us to a successful season.

Genuinely great business from Bristol Rovers and, in particular, Nick Higgs and Mark McGhee. Now we await our new striker signing and potentially a midfielder and we should be set for the season.

Further details will appear as they emerge.
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Updated: 15.29 - 20/8/12

McGhee has said that TP will be at the ground this afternoon with his agent to iron out the final details in his contract. A medical will be pushed through as quickly as possible and allowances have been made to ensure he is available to play at Underhill versus Barnet tomorrow evening. He will sign on loan to be able to play tomorrow should his medical not be completed in time. The loan will last for as long as it takes to complete the transfer - just a day or two hopefully.