Rotherham United: Winger Forde set to be Stubbs' first arrival

Rotherham United are on the brink of landing a former Premier League winger as new boss Alan Stubbs looks to make his first signing for the Millers.
Anthony Forde, leftAnthony Forde, left
Anthony Forde, left

Anthony Forde is out of contract at Walsall and poised for a move to AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The Star understands the 22-year-old is undergoing a medical. If the deal goes through, it would herald the start of the recruitment drive that Stubbs hopes will turn the Millers into a top 10 Championship side.

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Forde began his career at Wolves, making six top-flight appearances in the 2011/12 season and a further 12 in the second tier in 2012 before joining the League One Saddlers in 2014.

Walsall will be due compensation, even though Forde is at the end of his deal, because the player is under 24.

The Republic of Ireland youth international operates wide on the right and has made 98 appearances in his two seasons in the Midlands, scoring 10 goals.

Reports persist in the Midlands of a Rotherham bid for another Walsall player, striker Tom Bradshaw, but these are unconfirmed. Championship rivals Barnsley are known to have already tabled an offer worth £400,000, which is well short of the Saddlers’ valuation.

Tom BradshawTom Bradshaw
Tom Bradshaw
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Millwall centre-forward Lee Gregory, who scored 27 goals in 53 appearances for the League One South Londoners last term, may have caught the Millers’ eye.

The 27-year-old is from Sheffield and might be attracted by the idea of moving back north to step up a division.

Stubbs is targeting free agents and players under contract at other clubs while also working on long-term loan deals.

Right-back Stephen Kelly has agreed a new deal with Rotherham and could complete the formalities by the time Stubbs’ squad report back after their holidays for pre-season work tomorrow.

Stephen KellyStephen Kelly
Stephen Kelly
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Trialists are expected at the club’s Roundwood training complex over the next fortnight before being given a chance to show their worth by the new manager on the Millers’ two-game trip to Poland which begins on July 10.