ALDERSHOT striker Bernard Mensah has become Darrell Clarke’s first signing in the January transfer window, arriving at The Memorial Ground for an undisclosed fee.

Speaking of the new arrival the manager said: “I am delighted to welcome Bernard to Bristol Rovers.

“He’s a young player who has done very well at Aldershot and I’m pleased to be able to welcome him to our squad. I look forward to working with him and helping him develop further as a player.”

The 23 year old, will go straight into the squad travelling to Blackpool for Saturday’s EFL League One fixture and is delighted with the move.

He said: “I’m very pleased to have signed so early in the transfer window as the earlier the deal is done the better for the player and the club.

“There were a few other clubs interested in signing me but once I heard of Rovers’ interest they were my first choice.

The Aldershot manager, Gary Waddock told me about the fans here, something I already knew having played here a couple of times myself.”

Bernard began his career at Watford, where he was offered a two year scholarship at the beginning of the 2011/12 season, and he signed a professional contract that would activate on his 17th birthday.

He scored 14 goals in 19 appearances for Watford’s U-18 side during the 2012/13 season before becoming a full professional at the end of that campaign.

His Watford debut came against Bolton Wanderers, on 23rd November 2013 and in January 2014 he joined Conference side Braintree Town in a one month loan deal, which was later extended for a further month and a further extension was later agreed, taking him up until the end of the season.

In November 2014, he joined Barnet on loan and made a substitute appearance for The Bees against Rovers on 25th November, a game that Rovers won 2-1.

He rejoined Braintree, again on loan, in February 2015 and made his second appearance of that season on 24th February when Rovers recorded another 2-1 win. He remained with the Essex outfit until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Released by Watford in the summer of 2016, he signed for National League side Aldershot Town and in his time with The Shots he has scored 14 goals in 56 league games.