Gibson joins Bristol Rovers on loan

12/08/2022 5comments  |  Jump to last

The latest of Lewis Gibson's loan moves is to Bristol Rovers for the season after the defender signed another one-year contract with Everton.

Gibson has had a frustrating few years blighted by injury which have disrupted his efforts to gain valuable experience out on loan, with the ultimate goal of making the breakthrough into the Blues' first-team also proving elusive.

The 22-year-old has featured in the senior side in pre-season, with his most recent appearance coming in the Florida Cup last summer while a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season was affected by injury that restricted him to just four starts and two appearances off the bench. 

With his most recent deal expiring this summer, it looked as though he might leave the Blues as a free agent but protracted negotiations over a  new contract have concluded and he has signed on for another year before agreeing a temporary switch to Bristol.

 

Reader Comments (5)

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Justin Doone
1 Posted 12/08/2022 at 13:57:41
A real shame with all his injuries. Hopefully he's doing all he can to look after himself and gets a good run of games.
David Bromwell
2 Posted 12/08/2022 at 15:21:45
Yes, when fit Lewis looks a fine prospect, but he has suffered appallingly with injuries. Really hope it works this time.
Kieran Kinsella
3 Posted 12/08/2022 at 22:10:57
What's the logic in the new 1-year deal? He will be away from Everton all season and then a free agent when it expires.

If he's not any good, then he's out of a job with us. If he suddenly turns into Superman, then he is free to decide whether he wants to sign a new deal at Everton or at any other club in the world.

So we have no guarantees of keeping him if he fulfills his promise but the liability of paying some or all of his wages while he puts himself in the shop window.

Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 13/08/2022 at 08:47:52
It is a hard one to get your head around, Kieran.

Obviously he's not such a basket case that the club were done with him – even after five largely wasted years... so they must see more potential there. But not too many other clubs could have been that interested or he would have been released.

We never know the details of the contracts and the loan deals, which is where the answers may lie. Maybe Bristol Rovers are paying a decent proportion of his wages, but not as much as they would have had to if they had signed him outright?

And then there's the remaining commitments in the contract between Everton and the player. Maybe options to extend the 1-year contract if certain conditions are met or performance metrics are achieved.

Once again, it underlines just how hard it is to become a top-flight professional footballer. And just how hard the job is for all involved at the Academy in developing their talents. And just how easy it is for us outsiders to hurl brickbats at them for failing to deliver.

Alan J Thompson
5 Posted 13/08/2022 at 10:23:16
And since we signed him, with which club has he spent most time?

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