BRISTOL Rovers today made a double transfer swoop, bringing in one of last season’s loanees, Ryan Sweeney, along with his Stoke City colleague Dominic Telford both on season long loans.

Sweeney will need no introduction to Rovers supporters, who have been hoping he would return for another stint in the blue and white quarters.

The central defender appeared in 16 league games for The Gas after joining us on loan in January and his performances were recognised by President’s Club members who voted him as their Young Player of the Year.

Speaking at the club’s training ground this morning Sweeney said; “I am really pleased to be coming back to Bristol Rovers as I really enjoyed my time at the club last season.

“I know that there were other clubs interested in taking me on loan but once I knew that Rovers were interested there was only one club I wanted to join.”

His Stoke City team mate, 20 year old striker Dominic Telford, began his career as a scholar with Blackpool in 2013 and made his first team debut for the club on 9th August 2014 and scored his first senior goal in December of that year.

Telford along, with his Blackpool team mate Mark Waddington, joined Stoke City in July 2015 and joining Rovers will be the first time he has been out on loan.

He said of his move; “I am delighted to be joining Rovers for the season. Ryan has told me all about the club and everything he said was positive.

“I have been playing U-23 football for Stoke but I am now looking forward to playing in League One with Rovers and can’t wait to get started.”

Manager Darrell Clarke was pleased to have got these two signings over the line ahead of tomorrow’s opening fixture against Charlton Athletic at The Valley and both players will travel with the rest of the squad to London later today.

“I am delighted that Ryan and Dominic have agreed to join us for the season. Ryan has been one of my main targets over the summer and although we have had to wait to get him here, our patience has paid off.

We all know what a talented footballer he is from the time he spent with us last season and he arrives with his Stoke City colleague Dominic Telford, a really exciting prospect who will provide competition for our strikers.

“I am looking forward to working with both of them as the season progresses and would like to thank Mark Cartwright and Mark Hughes at Stoke for allowing Ryan and Dominic to join us.”