Steve Evans green-lights Bristol Rovers exit decision and it's caused a reaction | OneFootball

Steve Evans has given the green light for Bristol Rovers to part company with one of their defenders

Bristol Rovers are facilitating vital arrivals and departures in the summer transfer market ahead of the upcoming League Two season.

The Gas comfortably survived relegation in the end last term, finishing 14th in the fourth tier, just four points adrift of a top-half finish.

Boss Steve Evans is hungry for greater success next season, though, and Rovers would love to seal a League One return for the first time since suffering relegation from the third tier in 2025.

The West Country club have already been busy in the transfer market, with midfielder Tommy Leigh joining on loan from Bradford City once again.

Bristol Rovers supporters issue immediate reaction as Steve Evans allows defender exit

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Evans was appointed as Rovers boss last December, so the summer transfer window provides him with a big opportunity to put his stamp on the squad at the Memorial Stadium.

The Gas will learn their League Two fixture list next week, which will allow them to further ramp up their preparations for the new campaign.

Meanwhile, Rovers confirmed via X on Friday that Evans had allowed full-back Joel Senior to leave the West Country outfit at the request of the 26-year-old amid his personal situation.

Senior joined the Gas in the summer of 2024 and went on to make 58 appearances across all competitions, notching four assists in the process.

The former Morecambe and Carlisle United man was in particularly strong form at the end of last season, helping his side to wins over the likes of Cheltenham Town, Tranmere Rovers, and Crawley Town.

Another Gas fan said: "Sorry to see Joel go. He's been excellent since Steve Evans came in and played a massive part in our upturn in form. His replacement will have to be very good to live up to the standards Joel set in the last few months."

A fellow X user added: "Came on well under Evans and I wish him well, but respectfully, we will be able to replace him. Jack Hunt is on a free."

Meanwhile, one Rovers supporter commented: "Good luck to him. Shame though, as he was looking really solid back end of the season. If he stays fit will be a good pickup for someone in L2."

Another said: "A shame, one of those who looked better under Evans."

Steve Evans moved swiftly to replace Joel Senior

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As previously mentioned, Evans has a vital summer transfer window up ahead as he vies to make Rovers a competitive outfit in League Two next term.

Before the former Rotherham United, Stevenage, and Gillingham boss arrived at the Memorial Stadium, the Gas were in danger of suffering relegation to non-league for the first time since winning promotion from the National League in 2015.

However, the South West side are now looking in the right direction again, and a strong summer of recruitment could see them compete for a League One spot.

Replacing Senior could have been a big challenge for Evans, but within hours of the former Altrincham man's Rovers exit, the Gas confirmed that Tom James had signed for them from Leyton Orient on a two-year deal.