Ryan De Havilland, expressing his excitement, stated "it feels really good to be here" as he officially joined Bristol Rovers, marking the club's first signing under the leadership of Steve Evans during the January transfer window. On January 3, De Havilland signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the team.
The midfielder from Peterborough United has now become the inaugural addition to Steve Evans’ squad this transfer window, despite having only played twice for the Posh in all competitions this season.
In his first interview with the club's media after finalizing his move, De Havilland shared, "It feels really good to be here. The process was quite swift, but I’m thrilled to be part of this team and eager to start. My conversation with the manager about the club's ambitions made it clear that joining Rovers was the right choice for me at this moment.
"This is a hectic time for transfers, so I'm pleased we wrapped things up quickly at the start of January. This allows me to hit the ground running. Bristol Rovers is a significant club, and it deserves to be higher than its current position in League Two. I am committed to doing everything I can to help elevate it back to where it belongs."
Steve Evans expressed his enthusiasm about welcoming De Havilland, emphasizing, "I am thrilled to have Ryan join Bristol Rovers. He will add energy, determination, and a keen footballing intellect to our midfield.
"More importantly, I know that Ryan is eager to prove himself and showcase his talents as part of our team. It’s great to secure his signing early in the transfer window, and I’d like to thank Ricky Martin for his efforts. Ryan demonstrated a genuine desire to be here, and I’m eager to begin working with him."
Ricky Martin also shared his insights on this significant signing: "We are delighted to welcome Ryan to our team. After Steve’s appointment as head coach, it was crucial for us to swiftly identify our main targets during this transfer window. I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the recruitment process for their quick action in bringing Ryan on board."
At just 24 years old, De Havilland possesses valuable experience in the English Football League (EFL), having made 50 appearances in League One while at Peterborough. His creative and adaptable style will be vital as the team aims to climb the League Two standings.
Before making his mark at Peterborough, De Havilland began his career in Fulham’s academy and had a loan stint at Metropolitan Police. In October 2021, he transitioned to Barnet, where he further developed his skills through loan spells at non-league clubs Hayes & Yeading United and Beaconsfield Town, accumulating over 64 appearances for Barnet from 2021 to 2023.
In the summer of 2023, he moved to Peterborough for an undisclosed fee, totaling 70 appearances for the club across all competitions since then, including five goals and one assist. Additionally, he made his debut for England C, scoring against Wales.
As the first player to join under Evans's management, De Havilland arrived for an undisclosed fee, contributing to the manager’s four points collected over the first four matches in League Two. Evans has indicated that both he and Martin are focused on strengthening the squad throughout January.
De Havilland looks to be a strategic acquisition, especially in light of injuries to Josh McEachran and the fact that young talents like Alfie Chang, Kamil Conteh, and Joel Cotterill are still developing.
Looking ahead, the Gas will face Barrow on January 4, followed by a nine-day break before their next match, which will be a Round of 16 clash against Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy.
De Havilland will represent the number 15 jersey for the Gas.
