Myles Roberts stated he is ready to start at Bristol Rovers after signing on loan from Watford on deadline day.
The goalkeeper was the fifth and final addition of the transfer window, with Romaine Sawyers, Matt Butcher, Sil Swinkels, and Michael Reindorf joining the Club before the market slammed shut on Monday evening.
The 23-year-old will now compete for a starting spot in the Rovers side. Jed Ward returned to the Gas from Forest Green Rovers soon after West Bromwich Albion recalled Josh Griffiths from his loan spell at Rovers, where he kept eight clean sheets in 33 appearances in all competitions. Matt Hall is also in the goalkeeping ranks.
Roberts is pleased to join the Pirates and insisted he wanted to get the move from the Hornets done after a late call on deadline day.
“I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity, and obviously, Bristol Rovers is a great club, and I’m happy to be a part of it.
“It was quite a late phone call. I spoke to Watford and heard that Bristol Rovers had spoken to them. I wanted to get something done, and as soon as I heard about the news, I was delighted to come and get started.”
Roberts spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Scottish Championship outfit Partick Thistle, where he kept eight clean sheets in 19 league games before being recalled by Watford to help cover injured shot-stopper Daniel Bachmann.
He is linking with new goalkeeping coach James Bittner for the second time after connecting at Reading together.
Roberts enjoyed his first training session at The Quarters on Wednesday and is looking forward to working with Bittner again.
“It was a good first session with good intensity,” said the goalkeeper. “We’ll learn to work with each other as the season goes on, but I really enjoyed my first day.
“I’ve worked with James before when I was a bit younger at Reading. We’ve got that previous relationship from there, so I know how he likes to work. He’s a very good goalkeeper coach who works with good intensity. I’m really delighted to be back working with him.”
Roberts has had plenty of loan experience in England and made 71 appearances in the National League South for Concord Rangers and Welling United, where he won the Manager's Player of the Year award for the latter club in the 2022/23 season. Playing in the English Football League for the first time, Roberts knows it will be a challenge but backs himself to succeed.
“I’m really excited for it,” said the 23-year-old. “It's going to be a test, but it’s one that I think I’m ready for, and I’m delighted to be here and ready to get started.”
