Stockport County have signed Doncaster Rovers defender Kyle Knoyle for an undisclosed fee.
Knoyle, 26, had been having an excellent season in South Yorkshire, being amongst Doncaster’s most influential performers.
However, the former Cambridge United right-back’s contract was due to expire in the summer and despite Rovers’ intention to offer him a new deal, he has moved on.
Stockport County Sign Doncaster Rovers Defender Kyle Knoyle
We can confirm that defender Kyle Knoyle has joined fellow Sky Bet League Two side @StockportCounty for an undisclosed fee. #DRFC https://t.co/FjupktRlwB
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) January 13, 2023
Doncaster Rovers Lose Standout Performer to League Two Rivals
Knoyle was signed by former manager Richie Wellens in the summer of 2021 and had a disappointing start to life in Doncaster with relegation to League Two in his first season.
In his short time with the side, he made 81 appearances and has particularly been at his best this season, providing six assists – more than any other Doncaster player – and scoring a vital winner away at Newport County in December, his only goal this season and the second of two for the club.
Knoyle has been a standout performer this campaign as Rovers look to return to League One, however, he has decided his future will be at fellow League Two side Stockport County. Just three points separate the two sides in the table with Doncaster four places higher in 10th.
The defender featured mostly at right-back or right wing-back but has recently played at centre-back, on the right of a back three, as manager Danny Schofield deals with a thin squad and prefers three central defenders.
Charlie Seaman’s form has improved recently and whilst he doesn’t offer the same threat Knoyle does, he has filled in at right wing-back given Knoyle’s new role. The undisclosed fee may help Doncaster Rovers in the January window with no activity made yet.
Embed from Getty Images
The club’s form has improved recently with three wins in their last five.
James Coppinger in Honest Assessment of Kyle Knoyle Departure
Doncaster’s head of football operations James Coppinger told doncasterroversfc.co.uk: “We sat down with Kyle in December and made it clear based on his form this season we would like to keep him at the club beyond his initial contract coming to an end in the summer.
“At that point Kyle informed us that he didn’t see his future at Doncaster Rovers, and that left us with a decision to make as to what was best for us as a club.
“We then received an offer from Stockport that we feel was in our best interests to accept given that he had less than six months left of his contract to run.
“Kyle gave everything for the football club in the 18 months since he joined, and we would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Knoyle will wear the number three shirt at Stockport and is available as they host Northampton Town on Saturday, January 14.
