Jack Baldwin reacts after penning a long-term deal with Sunderland's League One rivals

Jack Baldwin has joined Bristol Rovers after his release from Sunderland – and his new manager believes he has a ‘point to prove’ after a disappointing spell at the Stadium of Light.
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Baldwin joined the Black Cats in 2018, with the club parting with a six-figure fee to sign the centre back from Peterborough United.

And while he was a regular in the Sunderland side during his first year in the North East, he fell out of favour under Jack Ross and was loaned out to Salford City at the beginning of the 2019/20 season.

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It came as little surprise when his contract was not renewed following the curtailment of the third tier campaign, but Baldwin hasn’t been made to wait long to team-up with a new side having penned an initial two-year deal with Bristol Rovers – with the option of a third year.

Former Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin has joined Bristol RoversFormer Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin has joined Bristol Rovers
Former Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin has joined Bristol Rovers

And the 27-year-old admits he is ‘thrilled’ to have found himself a new club during the current climate.

"I'm delighted to be here,” he said.

"Speaking with Ben [Garner, manager] early on this summer, I'm thrilled that we have managed to get everything sorted so early on, with the current climate.

"I had chats with Ben quite a few times before signing and he's a positive person. He knows the type of football that he wants his team to play and that style matches the way that I see myself playing.

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"There's a lot of positivity around Bristol Rovers, so that makes it a great time to be joining and I'm excited to get started."

Manager Garner added: “Jack has very good experience in League 1 but also retains the ambition to play at a higher level. He is a committed and intelligent defender who is also very good in possession.

"I like his character and he has good leadership qualities, having captained former teams at this level. I think Jack joins us with a point to prove and a real hunger to do well in this next phase of his career.”