Doncaster Rovers have secured a key piece of their goalkeeping department with Ian Lawlor agreeing a new contract.
The 30-year-old has signed a one-year extension, continuing a long-standing association with the club stretching back across two spells.
Lawlor Commits As Rovers Eye New No.1
Lawlor, who initially joined Rovers in 2017 before returning in 2022, has made over 70 appearances for the South Yorkshire outfit and is regarded as a dependable figure in the dressing room. He shared his delight at staying on, saying:
“I’m really delighted. It was a no-brainer for me. It’s a club I’ve been at for seven years across the two spells and it’s a club that I love and somewhere I want to be. I’ve had success over the two spells that I’ve been here and I want to continue that.”
Despite the retention of Lawlor, manager Grant McCann is expected to recruit a new first-choice goalkeeper this summer. Reports suggest Chelsea’s Ted Sharman-Lowe is among the top targets following his impressive loan stint last season, during which he played a vital role in helping the club secure the League Two title.
Sharman-Lowe, 21, is believed to be open to a return, and discussions over a potential deal could progress swiftly now Lawlor’s future has been confirmed. The young keeper made 22 appearances during his previous loan and is highly rated within Chelsea’s setup.
Other Deadlines Draw Near
Elsewhere, McCann is still waiting on final decisions from several other players offered new terms. While Lawlor has signed, defenders Joseph Olowu and Tom Anderson have declined their offers and are set to leave the Eco-Power Stadium.
Veteran striker Billy Sharp and young defender Bobby Faulkner were both given a deadline of Monday to respond to their respective offers. While responses have likely been received, the club has not yet made their outcomes public.
McCann recently outlined plans to overhaul his squad with “six or seven” new signings ahead of the new League One campaign. With promotion achieved, the focus now turns to strengthening for survival and progress in the third tier.
The manager, who returned to the club in 2023, has already overseen one successful rebuild and is aiming to continue that upward trajectory, with an emphasis on blending experience and youth across his squad.
Writer’s View
This new deal for Ian Lawlor makes sense for both parties. While not the first name on the teamsheet, he offers stability and deep knowledge of the club’s culture. More importantly, it frees McCann to now focus on signing a genuine number one.
The interest in Ted Sharman-Lowe underlines Rovers’ ambition – and if they can secure his return, fans will feel optimistic about their League One prospects. The next few weeks will be pivotal, not just for recruitment, but for maintaining the momentum built during a successful title-winning season.
