Darren Moore talks his long pursuit of Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules

Rovers completed the signing of the 19-year-old on Tuesday, ending a long pursuit of the England age group international by Moore.

The Rovers boss was awaiting the green light from Arsenal for more than a month for the deal to be completed, and feels his persistence has paid off.

“I’m really pleased to get him over the line,” he said.

“There was some real fierce competition for him.

“He was someone I’ve spoken about before, about working with their clubs and being really persistent with it.

“He’ll be a wonderful acquisition for the squad in terms of the sort of player he is, what we are, the type of attacking player he is and the team dynamics. I think it’s a wonderful fit.

“He’s someone I kept my eye on all last season and where he’s been at.

“He had the pick of many different clubs at this level. They’ve looked at us and he’s looked at us and they’ve seen it as a wonderful fit.

“We’re grateful to Arsenal for allowing us to have him.

“We’ll work extremely hard to improve him further and hopefully hand him back to Arsenal a better player.”

John-Jules had an injury-hit loan spell with Lincoln City last season but Moore believes he is now fully ready for a campaign of regular football with Rovers.

He said: “He’s a good finisher. He’s got an eye for goal and he’s wonderful at linking the play.

“He’s someone who can stretch defenders. I think we’ve signed a good young player with potentially a bright future ahead of him.

“It’s credit to the club that he sees this as a place to come to play on the frontline. It’s the right time for him and hopefully he’ll get a consistent level of games where he can show that consistency.

“He’s had a little glimpse of life in the north and the level of League One.

“Let’s get him in training and see where he is.

“He’s met all the boys so I imagine it’s whetted his appetite to get started.”

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