Bristol Rovers is delighted to announce the signing of defender Clinton Mola from fellow Sky Bet League One side Reading.
Mola joins the Gas on an three-year deal, with the option of a further year, and becomes Rovers’ second signing of the summer, joining Isaac Hutchinson in moving to The Memorial Stadium.
The 23-year-old is a former England U21s international and moves to Rovers after spending the 2023/24 campaign with the Royals.
“Joining Bristol Rovers is an exciting opportunity for me,” Mola said. “When I heard the Club was in for me, I was very interested. The Club has made me feel very wanted and that was a big part in my decision to join Rovers. I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going.
“With the ambition that comes from the manager, the coaching staff, and from above too, this is a very positive Club to be at. When you have a Chairman and a Board of Directors who are ambitious, that trickles down in the right way through the entire Club. For me, that’s one of the most positive things about being here.”
Manager Matt Taylor welcomed Mola to Bristol Rovers and is looking forward to working with the defender.
Taylor said: “Clinton is a versatile defender who possesses some fantastic attributes. He has gained some great experience despite being only 23 years of age. We are looking forward to providing Clinton with the support and consistency he requires to get his game in the best shape possible.
“I look forward to working with Clinton in the coming season.”
Born in Camden, Mola joined the Chelsea FC Academy as a teenager and played for the Blues youth set-up until January 2020, when he signed for then-German second division side VfB Stuttgart.
Mola made his debut for Stuttgart in a DFB-Pokal Cup against Bayer 04 Leverkusen and played eight league matches, helping the side return to the Bundesliga at the first attempt. Mola made his Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in October 2021.
Mola would join EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers on loan for the 2022/23 season, making six appearances in all competitions for Rovers and helping the side to a seventh-placed finish in the league, as well as a Carabao Cup third-round win away to Premier League side West Ham United.
The 23-year-old then joined Reading on a one-year deal last summer, making 35 appearances in all competitions for the Royals including 30 in EFL League One.
On the international scene, Mola captained England at U19s level and most recently represented the Three Lions’ U21s versus Georgia in November 2021.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to welcome Clinton to the Club and wish him every success for his career with the Pirates.
