Doncaster Rovers have been boosted by the recent news that Zain Westbrooke has extended his stay at the club by signing a new one-year deal as revealed in a statement on the club’s official site. Westbrooke becomes Doncaster’s fourth signing since the season ended, joining the likes of Richard Wood and Jamie Sterry.
Grant McCann has re-signed the midfielder for another year after originally signing a short-term deal with Doncaster after leaving Bristol Rovers. Rovers have made a quick start to rebuilding their squad after an 18th-place finish last season in League Two. Westbrooke adds to recent additions of experienced defender Richard Wood, Jamie Sterry and returning goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.
After struggling for game time over the past 18 months, Westbrooke joins McCann’s side that will be hoping to improve after a difficult season. Doncaster found themselves back in League Two after relegation in 2022, came after 8 seasons in League One.
Who is Zain Westbrooke?
After a promising start at youth level with Chelsea, Zain Westbrooke signed for Brentford in 2015 where he made an impression in the ‘B’ team and was voted player of the year. Due to injuries, Westbrooke failed to break into the first team and was then sent out on loan with National League side Solihull Moors and then Leyton Orient, where he also lacked game time.
Coventry City was Westbrooke’s next destination as the Midfielder signed for the Sky Blues in 2018 shortly after they won promotion to League One, Westbrooke began to make an impression and after making a handful of appearances in the 2018-2019 season, Westbrooke played his most matches to date in the next campaign, managing 33 games and four goals in a season impacted by Covid, which resulted in Coventry City winning the League One title.
Westbrooke’s next move was was back in League One, where he signed for Bristol Rovers. Bristol Rovers suffered relegation in his first Season with the side, although Westbrooke played 49 times for The Gas, it was a season to forget as they dropped down to the fourth tier of English football.
After appearing in the first few games of the last campaign, Westbrookes’ time for Bristol Rovers ended when his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Westbrooke struggled for game time after failing to get into the first team and therefore went out on loan to Stevenage where he played just 12 games with the recently promoted side.
Westbrooke then signed for Doncaster in March 2023 where he made eight appearances, earning himself a contract at the Eco-Power Stadium.
What’s Been Said?
On the signing of Zain Westbrooke Rovers boss Grant McCann commented to the club’s official media:
“When we came into the club we had to make decisions on certain players and Zain is someone I’ve always liked.
“When I spoke to him about wanting to extend his contract he was really pleased and happy to get it sorted.
“It was tough for him, coming in for the last few games, but I’ve no doubt that with a really good pre-season, he’s going to be a force for us next year and we’re going to try to get that out of him.”
Writers View
This is a great chance for Zain Westbrooke to kick-start his career, the positive comments from Grant McCann are reassuring for the midfielder as he looks to make another impact in a potential promotion campaign. McCann likes to utilise a three-man midfield and squad depth throughout the season will be important.
Westbrooke is a confident player and that confidence could have taken a huge knock over the past few seasons where he has struggled to get back to the excellent form he showed at Coventry City just a few years ago. Westbrooke can pick a pass, battle in midfield and add goals to any team but, Mccann may need to guide him and give him the belief to make the impact he desires.
The midfielder has admitted he’s had a tough time out and is excited to get back to playing again and I think Westbrooke can do just that, with their new signings and more to come, Doncaster could well be up there in League Two this season and will a full preseason and McCann touting Westbrooke “will be a force” for Rovers this season this could be the season that Westbrooke shows Doncaster fans what he can do.
Are you looking forward to seeing what Westbrooke can do this season?
