Injuries meant Bristol Rovers never saw the best of Ali Koiki, and the club let him go this summer without really knowing how good he is.
That is evidence of the ruthless way manager Joey Barton has operated, starting with the blankest possible canvas ahead of the new campaign after such a poor season and relegation to League Two in May.
Rovers' were already well stocked for left-backs when Koiki was signed as a free agent not long after the transfer window shut in October 2020 by Ben Garner and Tommy Widdrington, but they believed he was a game-changing option with his pace and physicality.
Only an issue flagged in his medical prevented him from getting a long-term contract, so a one-year deal was inked after a delay of a few days.
Unfortunately for all parties, just 10 league appearances totalling 320 minutes for the former Burnley prospect followed before undergoing season-ending surgery in the spring.
His contract was not renewed and he was released, with Barton bringing in Nick Anderton and Trevor Clarke as left-sided defensive options since the 21-year-old's exit.
Koiki remains without a club, but he has been handed a chance to impress at another side relegated from League One last season: Northampton Town.
Koiki is on trial at Sixfields, and so far manager Jon Brady was been impressed after the defender played 90 minutes in the Cobblers' friendly with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
"Ali has come into the group for a couple of days and we're taking a look at him," Brady told the Northampton Chronicle.
"I thought he looked strong tonight, physically he looks good and overall I felt he did well."
Koiki already has had a positive experience in League Two with Swindon Town in 2019, and he is vying to prove Rovers were wrong to release him this summer.
But, with his sketchy injury record in mind, Barton was happy to move on.
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