It was on then off and then finally on again, but at last Bristol Rovers have got their man. It may have come after the end of the EFL transfer window but the Gas have tied up the signing of Ali Koiki.
It caps a pretty good week for Ben Garner's side who won at Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night and now head up to Accrington Stanley looking to make it five League One games unbeaten.
The 21-year-old wing-back was released by Burnley before agreeing a move to the Mem. Compensation has been agreed between the two sides however, as Koiki joins on a free transfer and is under 23 years of age.
The new Rovers man is eager to get started for his new club and is impressed by the project being put together at Rovers. And he added to that in an interview on the club website.
"I'm glad to be here - very glad to be here," he explained. "It's been a while to get it over and done with.
"Obviously the season has already started. I'm happy to finally be here and hope to hit the ground running.
"I had a conversation on the phone with [Ben Garner] and I know he likes me as a player. He sees me developing. He likes my character and heas heard good things about me. That's why he wanted to bring me into the club.
"It's good to see the project that's happening around here, and that there's a goal that needs to be achieved, and it's good what they're trying - it's good for young players to have those around them who are their level and have the same scope as them.
"I'd say I'm a quick player. I like to get up and down, with a lot of energy. I hope to show the fans what I can do," he added.
The new man is expected to be included in the squad to head north at the weekend.
And he should add some extra dynamism on the left flank of Garner's team, competing with David Tutonda and Luke Leahy for the left-wing-back role in the favoured 3-5-2 formation.
Koiki played 15 games on loan at League Two champions Swindon Town last season, before spending a week on trial at Charlton Athletic.
