Rovers sign Romanian international defender
Paul Dickov has acted to strengthen the Rovers defence by adding Romanian International centre back Gabriel Tamas to the squad subject to international clearance, until the end of the season. The former West Bromwich Albion defender is without a club after leaving FC Cluj. The vastly experienced defender has played for Dinamo Buchuresti, Spartak Moscow, Celta Vigo, Auxerre and Galatasasary before arriving at the Hawthornes.
Born in Braşov, in the Romanian county of the same name, Tamaș started his career at Romanian clubs in lower divisions. In the summer of 2002 he transferred to Dinamo Bucureşti who he spent a year with before earning a move to Turkish team Galatasaray where he spent a season-and-a-half before being linked with a move to the Russian Premier League. Tamaș secured a move to Spartak Moscow in January 2004, but returned to Dinamo Bucureşti in summer 2004 on a season-and-a-half loan, returning to Spartak in January 2006.
Tamaş again moved out on loan to Celta de Vigo of Spain for the duration of the 2006–07 season. He joined AJ Auxerre in France at the start of the 2007–08 season. After one year there he again joined Dinamo Bucureşti, this time on a season-long loan. On 12 July 2009 he extended his loan for another season, and was also elected captain by his teammates. His loan to Dinamo was cut short in December 2009, and on 1 January 2010, Tamaş signed for West Bromwich Albion on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut on 8 January in a 1–3 loss to Nottingham Forest.
He scored his first goal for the Football League Championship club against Reading on 27 March 2010.[6] On 19 May 2010, Tamaş signed permanently at The Hawthorns for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract, plus a further year's option in the club's favour. He ended his contract with WBA by mutual consent, in September 2013.
He forged a partnership at West Brom with Rovers other new signing Meite, making over 60 appearances for the club over 3 three and half years, before leaving by mutual consent. He has played 63 times for his country and scored 3 goals with the lasts being 2010 in the Ukraine.
30 year old Tamas has been training with Rovers this week and should be available if international clearance is given for Saturdays game against Wigan at the Keepmoat Stadium