Ogogo set to turn down Barton offer and join Shrimpers

ABU Ogogo will not be returning to Bristol Rovers with the defensive midfielder ready to sign for National League side Southend United.

The Southend Echo report the 31-year-old is being snapped up by the Shrimpers on a free transfer following his release by the Gas.

Rovers manager Joey Barton had offered Ogogo the chance to join the squad for pre-season and undergo, in effect, a trial to earn a new contract but the midfielder doesn’t want to take the risk.

With Rovers beginning pre-season on Monday, Ogogo could have trained for several weeks only to not be offered a contract and, in the meantime, other clubs interested in him could have then moved on.

Barton wanted a look at the former Coventry City player, who he tried to sign for Fleetwood in the 2018, after Ogogo endured a complicated 2020/21 campaign. Ben Garner loaned him to Dagenham & Redbridge; Paul Tisdale recalled him and he then suffered a seasonending injury. Therefore Ogogo’s appearance against Rochdale on January 30 will prove his last for Rovers. Barton has defensive midfield options with Paul Coutts, Josh Grant and youngsters Pablo Martinez and Tom Mehew.

» Yesterday’s Carabao Cup South draw has presented Bristol’s clubs with West Country derbies. City will travel to Nailsworth to take on Forest Green Rovers while Barton’s Rovers side will host Cheltenham Town. The first-round ties are set to be played week commencing August 9.