‘Back home’ – Tom Lockyer’s first words as Bristol Rovers announce defender’s return to the Mem
Tom Lockyer has returned to Bristol Rovers and put pen to paper on a contract until the end of the season at the Memorial Stadium
19:35, 23 Oct 2025
Tom Lockyer has returned to Bristol Rovers(Image: Bristol Rovers FC)
Tom Lockyer is aiming to celebrate “the little wins back on a football pitch” after Bristol Rovers officially confirmed the defender’s return to the Memorial Stadium, six years on from his initial departure.
The 30-year-old, who spent seven years with the Gas between 2012 and 2019, has put pen to paper on a contract in north Bristol until the end of the 2025/26 season, having spent the last few weeks training with Darrell Clarke’s side following his departure from Luton Town.
Lockyer hadn’t played for the Hatters for almost two years after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth in December 2023, but has recently been given the all clear to resume his professional career.
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He will do so in blue and white quarters under Clarke in BS7, a decision that was easy for him to make as soon as Rovers’ interest became apparent.
Speaking to Rovers’ club media, the defender said on his return: “It feels really, really good to once again be a Bristol Rovers player. Obviously, I’ve been training here for a while and I’ve tried not to think too much about it or get too excited about the ifs, buts and maybes.
“But as soon as I knew that Darrell wanted to get something done, it was easy for me to then make a decision about coming back home. It is so hard to explain, but it’s everything I’ve worked so hard for over the last two years.
“Hopefully, I can have many, many more good memories in a football shirt. I’m going to celebrate the little wins back on a football pitch, and I just want to enjoy it. I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.
“I’m doing this because I love playing football and I’ve got that massive desire to play football again, and what better place to do that than back home at Bristol Rovers.”
In his first stint at the Mem, Lockyer made 284 appearances for Rovers in all competitions, helping Clarke’s side win back-to-back promotions out of the National League and League Two before establishing himself as a regular for the Gas in League One.
His performances in the third tier earned him a move to the Championship with Charlton Athletic, and after a single season at the Valley, he joined Luton Town, where he played a crucial role as the Hatters won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
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Having never doubted the Wales international’s ability to play at the highest level, and seen first-hand the impact he can have on the training ground in recent weeks, Clarke is relishing working with the defender once again.
On the addition of Lockyer, the Rovers boss said: “I’m delighted to have Tom back with us. He’s a lad I’ve got a lot of admiration for, which has only increased after everything he and his family have gone through in the last couple of years.
“I always believed Locks had the ability to make it at the highest level, and he proved that, playing in the Premier League with Luton Town, and his application and work-rate epitomise everything I know the fans love about our players. I also know our supporters were hopeful we might be able to get something done with Locks.
“Deals to bring in players of Tom’s calibre involve cohesion and hard work across the club, and I’d like to thank everyone involved, especially the board and Ricky, for getting this over the line.
“It’s been great having him around the training ground, and he’s already settled into the group well. It will be great to see him back out there in the blue-and-white quarters.”
In his second spell in north Bristol, Lockyer will wear the number 12 shirt – with the permission of the Gas’ Supporters Club – in recognition of the support shown to him by Rovers fans throughout his career.
At this stage, it is unclear when the defender could make his second debut for the Gas, with Darrell Clarke likely to provide an update in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning. Rovers travel to Crawley Town this weekend as they look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats at the hands of MK Dons and Tranmere Rovers.
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