Bristol Rovers hit the jackpot when they signed young attacking midfielder Antony Evans for free, following his release from SC Paderborn in 2021.
The Gas have had a difficult few years on the pitch, with the club yo-yoing between League One and League Two, which has proved to be a huge frustration for supporters.
However, a positive to come out of the last few seasons was the signing of Evans in the summer of 2021. The former Everton prospect was a free agent after being released from German side Paderborn.
Over the next three seasons in Bristol, Evans would go on to become a key player for the side, spearheading them to promotion in his first season, and helping them re-establish themselves as a League One club again.
After leaving for Huddersfield Town in 2024, Rovers pocketed a £450k fee for their star man, which certainly softened the blow of losing a key player, and cemented his place as one of the club’s best signings in recent years.
Antony Evans was a key figure for Bristol Rovers post-relegation
After coming through the ranks at Everton and a couple of loan spells in the EFL, the former England youth international opted to join Paderborn in Germany for his next permanent challenge, but would only play eight games in two years for the German side.
He was released in 2021, and quickly snapped up on a one-year-deal by newly-relegated Bristol Rovers. Joey Barton’s side made a slow start to life in League Two, but things quickly picked up as they made a later charge towards the top of the table.
Come the final day, Rovers needed a huge swing of goals to gain promotion over Northampton Town. Somehow, the Gas went on to beat Scunthorpe United 7-0, with Evans scoring twice and assisting one, which was enough to secure an instant return to League One.
The former Everton youngster ended his first season back in the EFL with 10 goals and 12 assists to his name in 35 league outings, earning himself a new three-year contract in the process.
The next two seasons were also great for Evans, as he went on to help Rovers establish themselves in League One once again. He chipped in with 11 goals and nine assists between 2022 and 2024, and earned the club’s Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 campaign.
By this time, the 26-year-old had clubs circling around him for his signature. Whilst Bristol Rovers offered him a new deal to try and fend off interest, this wouldn’t work as he joined League One rivals Huddersfield for a reported fee of £450k.
Bristol Rovers reaped the rewards of Evans deal and made a tidy profit in the process
By the time Evans departed the Memorial Stadium, he’d racked up 142 appearances in all competitions, with 26 goals and 26 assists to his name, as well as one promotion and a Player of the Season award.
The £0 gamble that Bristol Rovers took on the Liverpool-born midfielder proved to pay off massively. The Bristolian club reaped the rewards of his performances on the pitch, and also made a neat profit when he was eventually sold to Huddersfield in 2024.
| Antony Evans – Bristol Rovers league career stats (FotMob) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 23/24 | League One | 43 | 6 | 6 |
| 22/23 | League One | 43 | 5 | 3 |
| 21/22 | League Two | 35 | 10 | 12 |
Whilst some may believe that his ability could’ve warranted a higher fee than what the Terriers reportedly paid for him, signing a free agent and turning a profit is the dream scenario for any club when they opt to take on an unattached player.
Some free transfers don’t work out, but the deal to bring Evans to the Gas will go down as one of the best pieces of business in recent years for the club, as he offered plenty on the pitch, and turned them a tidy profit.
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