Rotherham United backed to land ex-Sheffield Wednesday star - he'd be League Two's 'best defender' | OneFootball

FLW's Rotherham United fan pundit hopes that Dominic Iorfa accepts the contract offered to him by the Millers

Rotherham United's start to life back in League Two has been rocky, as the Millers adjust to life under Alex Bruce amid wholesale changes across the squad.

Bruce's first managerial role in the EFL has brought big challenges so far, and with the fixture list they've had to navigate, five points from five games isn't the end of the world at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Indeed, the only side outside the top nine that they've faced so far is Chesterfield, who they beat, and draws against York City and Tranmere Rovers, plus a narrow 1-0 defeat to early pace-setters Bristol Rovers, where they played broadly fine, isn't something to turn your nose up at.

With 15 new faces arriving at the club this summer, alongside a new manager and big changes at board level, which saw Steve McClaren brought in as Head of Football, time would be needed for everything to gel. Even after the summer window has closed, though, Rotherham don't look done with adding improvements to the squad.

Rotherham United have reportedly offered a contract to free agent Dominic Iorfa

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Dominic Iorfa has been without a club after he left Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his contract this past summer, bringing an end to seven-and-a-half years at Hillsborough.

According to the Rotherham Observer, the 31-year-old has been given an offer by Rotherham to continue his career in South Yorkshire at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, who is expected to give them an answer over the weekend.

If Iorfa accepts, it'll mark the first time in his career that he'll be playing below the third tier. The defender has over 250 Championship games under his belt, and barring a seven-game loan spell at Shrewsbury Town in 2014, only played in League One during Wednesday's time in the division under Darren Moore.

Last season, the 31-year-old played a big part in what was a disastrous campaign at Hillsborough, with the club in administration and the senior squad gutted.

Iorfa was one of the few who maintained fitness throughout the year, making 34 appearances — the most he's made in a single league season since 2019/20.

Rotherham United fan pundit believes Dominic Iorfa could be the best centre-back in League Two if he joins the Millers

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Rotherham have been able to attract good players for the level across the summer ahead of their League Two return, given they're now the big fish in a small pond once again.

Iorfa would easily be the pick of the bunch if he were to become the 16th new arrival at the club this summer, though, and FLW's Millers fan pundit, Tom Eyre, believes that the trajectory of his side's season could depend on this signing.

"He will be one of, if not the best, centre-half in League Two if he can stay fit," he said.

"He's clearly capable of doing it at Championship level, at League One level, so if he steps down to League Two level, if he stays fit and shows form, he'll be quite the coup for Rotherham.

"We have a young backline, so adding some experience to it and his quality could be so drastic to the season. Whether we go up, get the play-offs, or even stay up could be down to this deal. It's a huge chance, and a big offer for Iorfa to take at Rotherham."

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Last season in the Championship, Iorfa ranked in the top 20% of centre-backs for duels won both on the ground and in the air and was in the top 23% in defensive contributions. Bringing that down to League Two would be a brilliant signing for Rotherham.

As Eyre said, too, the oldest centre-back in Alex Bruce's squad currently is 24-year-old Ewan Otoo. Against Bristol Rovers last weekend, he lined up with 21-year-old Sonny Aljofree and 22-year-old Emmanuel Adegboyega, so his presence would help those around him improve, too.

That being said as well, it's not like Rotherham haven't been defensively solid in the infancy of this season, too. The Millers are a top-six seven in expected goals conceded, shots allowed, and shots on target faced through five games — against good teams, too.

It could be a dramatic take, but bringing in Iorfa could really help boost Rotherham's chances of landing in the top three at the first time of asking.

Recent history isn't too kind to relegated League One sides in their first campaign back in the fourth tier, but if any of the four sides this time around can buck that trend, Alex Bruce's side look to be the team most suited to do so, especially if they can secure the 31-year-old's services in the coming days.