Mansfield Town have announced the signing of former Bristol Rovers captain Ollie Clarke.
Clarke was close to signing a new contract with the Gas but after interest from former Rovers boss Graham Coughlan at the Stags, Clarke decided to join up with the Dubliner at Field Mill.
Bristol Live broke the news of late interest in Clarke before the deadline of his current contract running out and Bristol Rovers announced the departure of the youth academy graduate yesterday evening (June 30).
And now the move to Mansfield has been officially confirmed with Clarke signing a two-year deal with the League Two club.
Clarke made his debut for the Gas in 2011 and despite the offer of testimonial if he did sign the extension at the Mem, but said that the lure of working with Coughlan again was enough to persuade him to move.
Clarke told the Mansfield website: “I worked with the manager last season, along with Joe Dunne (assistant manager), and really enjoyed it.
“As soon as I spoke to them, and I knew they were interested, I just wanted to get the deal done.
“I like the way he [Graham Coughlan] works and trust his views on the game, and this is a club which is looking to progress. They were big factors in me coming here.”
Coughlan left Rovers in dramatic fashion in December 2019, addressing concerns about club finances after an impressive win over Ipswich Town and was soon on his way to Mansfield to live closer to his family.
Coughlan said: "Ollie is a top player who has showed his capabilities in League One.
“I’ve brought him to Mansfield because of his character, work-rate, attitude, commitment and honesty; Ollie epitomises everything about Mansfield Town Football Club.
“I think he’ll be a real fans’ favourite here, like he has been at Bristol Rovers in the past ten seasons.”
Clarke made over 250 appearances for the Gas during his spell at the club, which included successive promotions from the National League and League Two.
