Rovers Add Kalala To Their Ranks

Bristol Rovers have confirmed the signing of Jean-Paul Kalala from Yeovil Town.

The Congolese midfielder will be with Rovers until the end of June.

The 28 year old started his career in Europe with Nice, spending four seasons in their B team before being promoted to the first team squad. He never made it in Ligue 1 and was brought over to England by then Grimsby manager Russell Slade, making 21 league appearances during his single season at Blundell Park. He is best remembered by Grimsby fans for scoring the goal that knocked Tottenham out of the League cup in 2005. Kalala fell down the pecking order with the Mariners who made it to the play off final, losing to Cheltenham at the Millennium Stadium.

Kalala then followed Russell Slade to Yeovil Town where he spent a season playing regularly for the League 1 side in the season that they famously made the play off final at Wembley, losing out to Blackpool. From Yeovil he joined Oldham and was with the Latics for two seasons, though he spent the second half of his final season back on loan at Grimsby. After being released by Oldham Kalala once again linked up with Yeovil Town where he would remain for a further season and a half before signing for the Gas.

Kalala has made seven international appearances for DR Congo and has twice been a squad member at the African Nations Cup in 2004 and 2006.

The battling midfielder will add some edge to the Rovers midfield who have often been overrun this season.

Rovers manager Dave Penney is pleased with his new signing, saying:

"We have been looking for a combative midfielder with a bit of experience, and JP fits that bill.

"We need a bit more of a competitive edge and a bit more bite, and I think JP can provide that for us.

"He will complement what we already have here, and I welcome him to the squad."