Louie Annesley is ready to take his career to the next level with a loan move after agreeing a new deal with Rovers.

Annesley has signed a two-year deal through to 2023 and with 19 caps for Gibraltar under his belt, he’s ready to test himself in the EFL.

The defender played 18 times for the Under-23s last term, and with international experience under his belt, Annesley wants to gain more senior appearances in a bid to push forward his claims to break into the Rovers first-team.

The 6’4 centre half, who signed from Lincoln Red Imps in 2019, said: “A loan would be perfect for me at the age I’m at now. I want to get some experience under my belt, to go alongside the international experience, and that would give me the fundamentals to go on and have a good, long career.

“I just need to play games. If that means going on loan, then I’d definitely be keen to do that.

“I just want to play football and get 30-40 games under my belt. I’ve taken an unusual route, but I think now I’ve just got to settle down and play some men’s football.”

Annesley has largely been used as a left-sided centre half by Billy Barr for the Under-23s, but has also filled in at left back on occasion, while for Gibraltar he has also operated in a holding midfield role.

He featured in both of Gibraltar’s friendly this month, starting games against Slovenia and Andorra, and has regularly represented his country throughout his time at Rovers which has been hampered by injury.

The club have preferred to send their young central defenders on loan, with Hayden Carter and Tyler Magloire both having that experience last season, with Scott Wharton having done so in previous years.

Rovers have already taken up the options in the deals of Sam Barnes and Jalil Saadi who have both operating in the heart of the defence for the Under-23s.

And Annesley added: “I’m delighted to sign.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to get this sorted and I’m happy now to crack on and try to make a name for myself and break through.

“I’m settled at the club and I feel now that I can really kick on. These next two years are going to be the most important in my career, so this is the perfect place for me to be, I’m really happy here, and I can’t wait to get going again.”