Five months on from Rovers failing to secure the signature of Ethan Brierley, the midfielder has now made a move to Premier League side Brentford.

The Bees have snapped up the Rochdale midfielder on a three-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months, for what is thought to be a six-figure fee.

The teenager will initially be part of Brentford’s B-team set-up, but will hope to push towards the senior side after catching the eye for the League Two side.

That prompted Rovers to make their move for the 19-year-old in January, only to fail to submit the necessary paperwork in January and see the move fall down.

Brentford have now jumped ahead of Rovers, who pulled out of the race to sign Brierley upon their interest.

And B team boss Neil MacFarlane believes the club have secured the signing of a talented all-round midfielder.

“Ethan is a terrific talent. He has a real eagerness to improve himself every single day out on the grass. He comes to us having played men’s football at a young age,” said MacFarlane, whose side beat Rovers Under-21s in last month's Premier League Cup final.

“He played for a Rochdale side that have had a difficult season, but he was still able to flourish and perform at such a high level to assist, score, and be creative from the middle of the park.

“We’re hugely excited to play a role in the next stage of his development.

“He is an all-round midfielder who will handle the ball and he’s somebody we will look to improve, as we do with all of the players who step foot in the building.”

Rovers director of football Gregg Broughton revealed last month that Brierley wouldn’t be joining the club.

He explained how Rovers had pulled out of the race to sign him due to the expectation that he would be set for a move elsewhere, which turned out to be Brentford, with Sheffield United having previously been in the race to sign the teenager.

Rovers agreed a deal with Rochdale and Brierley to sign him on a long-term deal in January.

However, issues surrounding the submission of the paperwork saw that deal fail to be ratified by the EFL.

Rovers appealed the decision, and it wasn’t until a month later that it was conceded the deal wouldn’t be given the green light.

The same offer remained on the table, but Brierley’s form since has attracted further suitors.

He finished the season in fine form, with 13 successive starts bringing five assists and two goals.

That wasn’t enough to keep Rochdale in the EFL, as they were relegated to the National League, but Brierley remained under contract which allowed Dale to command a fee for his services.