Rotherham United are on course to sign midfielder Ossama Ashley as their squad for next season begins to take shape.
The Millers finally put to rest their long-standing search for a new manager with Salford City assistant Alex Bruce officially appointed to lead them into their first League Two season since 2013.
Bruce Secures Ammies Reunion
Now, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Rotherham are on the brink of signing Ossama Ashley, having beaten other sides to his signature in the process.
The midfielder was at Salford City, but was one of many allowed to leave in the wake of their playoff final loss to Notts County, which ultimately saw Karl Robinson sacked as manager and depart along with his staff.
Bruce, who was the number two at Moor Lane, is now set to reunite with Ashley, who also has League Two experience with Colchester United. Last season he managed just 19 matches, with his season ending in March due to an ankle injury.
It is believed that it was that connection between manager and player which proved the decisive factor in the 26-year-old’s choice to move to South Yorkshire for the upcoming season.
One Miller moved the other way, with Joe Powell heading to Greater Manchester and joining the Ammies, now under the leadership of Peter Cklamovski as they aim to break into League One for the first time.
Millers Need To Move Quick
Now having sorted out their managerial vacancy after a month of rejections from multiple candidates, Alex Bruce is now ready to try and turn the Millers’ fortunes around following multiple tough years.
Having sanctioned multiple exits in the wake of their relegation and the possibility of losing some key players like Sam Nombe, plenty of moves need to be made in a short space of time to get the club ready to compete come the start of August.
Ossama Ashley offers an intriguing but risky prospect for Rotherham to take on, having shown brief glimpses of quality both during his time at Salford City and at Colchester United.
However, the biggest concern is his availability, having been unable to play more than 40 games across a single season in his career.
Nevertheless, he will come in as a known prospect to Alex Bruce, something which will be key as he tries to implement his ideas in his first-ever EFL managerial role.
