Gary McSheffrey revealed new signing Luke Molyneux was his top target for Rovers when he began formulating his summer transfer plans.
Attacking midfielder Molyneux became McSheffrey’s third signing of the summer when penning a two-year deal on Tuesday.
Interest in the 24-year-old stretched back into last season but talks were completed quickly after Rovers were made aware of his availability at the weekend.
“He was a standout player last year in the division, one of the best attackers who scored some great goals, real eye-catching goals,” first team manager McSheffrey said.
“We want him to come here and do the same.
“He was top of the list for us back in March-April. I went to watch him in a couple of games - one of which he scored in.
“At the time he had aspirations of playing in League One but it’s come back around and I was delighted to receive the call from his agent.
“He’d had conversations with a few clubs and wanted to give them answers at the weekend but once I got wind of it again, we asked if he could delay his decision and meet with us on Monday.
“We had to be ready to pull the trigger, we had everything in place and it was agreed quite quickly.”
Molyneux scored 12 goals in 55 appearances for Hartlepool United in Sky Bet League Two last season, often cutting in off the right to net spectacular strikes.
McSheffrey expects the former Sunderland Academy graduate to add versatility and excitement to his forward ranks.
“He can play anywhere along the front line,” he said.
“If he plays on the left, he’s got the pace to go down the outside. If he plays on the right, he’s got the shift and shoot on the left foot - and the left footers don’t come cheap by the way.
“It’s exciting and he’s also got the ability to play off the big man.
“One thing I like about him is that he’s no-nonsense. If he gets half a yard, he gets his shots off and I feel we’ve missed that in the squad.”
