Doncaster Rovers have announced the signing of experienced midfielder Adam Clayton in a bid to stave off relegation. 

The 33-year-old has been a free agent since his departure from Championship outfit Birmingham City back in November.

Clayton has spent the bulk of his career in the second tier, undergoing spells at Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough and Birmingham.

He also registered 34 top-flight appearances for Boro across the 2016-17 Premier League season.

A graduate of the Manchester City academy, Clayton has played over 450 career games since making his league debut on loan at Carlisle United in 2009.

He comes as Rovers’ fifth acquisition of the January window, following the signings of Kieran Agard, Josh Martin, Ollie Younger and Jonathan Mitchell.

It is hoped that Clayton’s experience and know-how can come to fruition at the Keepmoat Stadium, with relegation to League Two for the first time since 2016 appearing a very distinct possibility. 

The Verdict

Bridged from safety by a gap of nine points at the time of writing, survival is going to be a significant task, however, acquiring a player of Clayton’s pedigree is certainly a step in the right direction.

Doncaster currently have the second-worst defensive record in the division and the former Middlesbrough stalwart will implement a sense of steel and tenacity in the midfield, licensing the attacking options within the side to flourish.

It will surely be interesting to see what sort of impact Clayton can have on his new employers across the second half of the season.