Bristol Rovers Sign Defender Ciaran Kelly

Bristol Rovers have signed former Bradford City defender Ciaran Kelly on a two-year deal. The 27-year-old Irishman was released by the Bantams at the end of the season after 94 appearances in a three-and-a-half-year spell.

What happened?

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans expressed his delight at signing Kelly, stating that the defender is a commanding centre-back and a true professional.

Why it matters for Bristol Rovers

The signing of Kelly is a significant boost to the team's squad, especially after steering the club to League Two safety last season. As of the current season, Bristol Rovers are standing at 14th in England League Two, with 62 points from 46 games, and a recent form of DWWWW.

What comes next?

Kelly is the sixth new player to join Rovers this summer, and his experience will be valuable in the upcoming season. The team's last result was a 1-1 draw against Notts County on 2026-05-02.