Right-back Brad Halliday says his friendship with Joe Wright was one of the main reasons he made a summer move to the Keepmoat Stadium.
The pair spent part of the 2015-16 campaign on loan at Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League Two, developing a close bond which they are happy to strengthen further following Halliday’s move from Cambridge United.
Halliday said: “We lived in the same hotel room when we were on loan so our relationship was close, and we’ve always kept in touch. In football you don’t meet too many friends you’ll always keep in touch with, but Joe was one.
“To come back and play with him is class. When I first found out Rovers were interested I spoke to him, he praised the club and spoke very highly about everyone here - with him being here and it being a great platform for myself to join a big team in League One I couldn’t turn the club down really.”
Halliday is part of the Rovers squad currently at La Manga Club in Spain for a pre-season training camp.
He added: “Training has been spot on, it has been difficult at times but the standard set by the lads has been first class.
“Obviously the weather can get hot and makes it harder, but I’ve enjoyed the first few days and I’m sure the next two will be just as hard. It has been good to interact with the players in a relaxed setting and it has really helped me settle in.”