Ruel Sotiriou, a forward from Leyton Orient, has officially joined Bristol Rovers on a three-year contract.

After joining Bristol Rovers from Leyton Orient, Ruel Sotiriou described his transfer as both “a big challenge” and a “fun one too.”

The 23-year-old, who became Rovers’ third summer transfer window addition, signed a three-year contract at the Mem with a four-year option.

Sotiriou, who came through the East London club’s youth, finished the season as the O’s top scorer with 12 goals and five assists across all competitions. After seven years in the first squad, Sotiriou leaves Brisbane Road.

“It makes me feel so happy to be here,” Sotiriou said to the club’s media. “I’m thrilled to be joining Bristol Rovers. I’m eager to get started even though I know this is a large club.

“It seems obvious to me that this club will only get bigger and bigger. A well-defined strategy has been put in place to advance Bristol Rovers. Although I am aware of the club’s already great standing, it’s intriguing to consider where it might go in the near future.

“With all of the upgrades, it’s a challenging yet interesting task as well. It will be an incredible experience to play for a club like this.”

“It seems obvious to me that this club will only get bigger and bigger. A well-defined strategy has been put in place to advance Bristol Rovers. Although I am aware of the club’s already great standing, it’s intriguing to consider where it might go in the near future.

“With all of the upgrades, it’s a challenging yet interesting task as well. It will be an incredible experience to play for a club like this.”

Sotiriou, a forward who can play anywhere in the attacking midfield three and lead the line, is a fascinating addition to the Gas. He won a League Two promotion with Orient and then led them to an amazing 11th place finish in their first season back in League One last term.

The 23-year-old, who has shown that he can hit the back of the net at this level, should only become better. Chris Martin, 35, will be expected to help with goal scoring after finishing fifth in the League One Golden Boot Race with 16 goals. Sotiriou, who made his debut in March, is also a senior Cyprus international.

Regarding the addition, Matt Taylor said: “We are pleased to have Ruel join the Club. Ruel has demonstrated his potential to score goals in recent years, and his ability to find the net in League One last season was demonstrated.

“Ruel’s current task is to maintain his current level of play and improve even more—not just in front of goal but throughout his game—and we’re excited to work with him to achieve that here at Bristol Rovers.”

According to reporter Pete O’Rourke, Leyton Orient defender Tom James is expected to sign a new contract with the team despite interest from other teams.
James, a defender, joined Leyton Orient in the summer of 2021 after leaving Hibernian on a free transfer.

Since then, he has been a pillar of support for Richie Wellens, making 48 appearances in all competitions to bring his total number of club appearances to 120. James has contributed nine goals and ten back-of-the-field assists along the road.

His current contract with the O’s expires this summer, therefore concerns have been raised about his future with the team.

However, it appears that Orient will soon make a breakthrough.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke of X believes that James, a player for Leyton Orient, is about to sign a new contract at Brisbane Road. It will also be a setback to some League One rivals, as Northampton Town, Stevenage, and Bristol Rovers are all interested in signing him.

The length of the new deal is unknown, but it should do a great deal to stifle interest in James this summer.

A key player to keep

James’ new Leyton Orient contract may or may not be finalised, but securing the Welsh defender’s future this summer will be a significant boost for Wellens and company.

Since joining, he has played a significant role in the O’s efforts to earn promotion from League Two and to establish himself as a regular starter as the team established itself in League One the previous season.

With James joining the team, the club will be able to solidify their position in the third division by reaching new heights in the upcoming season.

James has demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively when playing as a full-back or wing-back for Wellens’ team. He has operated wherever along the backline. He had four assists in the previous campaign and had previously had success at Yeovil Town and Wigan Athletic.

Fending off interest

Northampton Town, Bristol Rovers, and Stevenage will be disappointed by the good news for Leyton Orient.

Any one of those three teams would have found James to be a wise addition, but it appears they will need to look at other choices. With his mobility and well-rounded style, the O’s ace is a unique defender at this level and may not be the simplest man to find alternatives for.

Though James is certain to stay in the city, the League One trio still has plenty of time to bring in other options with less than a week left in the transfer window.

A “positive” offensive player who “wants to make things happen” is Harrogate Town’s first summer transfer window addition.

After being released by Championship team Queens Park Rangers, midfielder Stephen Duke-McKenna was signed by the League Two Sulphurites on a two-year contract on Monday night.

The 23-year-old Guyana international, who has 18 caps for his nation and made five appearances in England’s second division last season, is no stranger to League Two, having played for Leyton Orient, the 2022–2023 winners.

And according to Town’s head of recruitment, Lloyd Kerry, he will fit right in at Wetherby Road.

Kerry stated, “We’ve been searching for an attacking player, and Stephen checks all the boxes in terms of what he brings.”

He is a typical player for Harrogate Town; he is very skilled, energetic, and adaptable.

We’re eager to see what he can accomplish in a Town shirt because he is a positive player who possesses experience at this level and wants to make things happen.

We think he’s ready to settle in and get started, and we’re hoping that the fans will like him for his attributes and demeanour on the pitch.

After losing ten-goal winger Abraham Odoh to Peterborough United for an undisclosed six-figure price, Town sought to bolster their attacking lineup.

Duke-McKenna, who inherited Odoh’s shirt with the number nine, is also sure he can work with Simon Weaver.

The Liverpudlian stated, “I am really excited to get this deal done and have my future secured for next season.”

“I was eager to learn more when I initially heard about the interest, and after talking to the manager, I knew this was where I wanted to be. Things have moved along rather rapidly.

“I feel more confident after hearing the club’s plan for me. To be honest, after seeing a little of the team’s play, I can’t wait to get started.”

Duke-McKenna, who came through Everton’s development system, moved from Bolton Wanderers to QPR in 2019.

After spending time on loan in the National League South with Hemel Hempstead Town, he made his competitive debut with the Rangers in the 2020–21 season.

After that, he went on loans to Torquay United and Orient, although he started 2023–24 as a starter for QPR and played a lot of substitute games in the first few weeks of the season, including one start in the League Cup.

He started one more Championship game after going out of favour before going on loan to League Two Sutton in January.

He continued to play for the Amber & Chocolates for 16 games, finishing with two goals and two assists, but he was unable to prevent their relegation to the non-league.

Duke-McKenna has participated in 67 competitive games thus far in his career, scoring five goals and dishing out two assists.

He has mostly been used as a right winger, but he has also played full back, as a number 10, on the left side, and in centre midfield.