Ex Torquay and Brentford striker joins Dale’s push up the League.

It was announced to Rochdale fans by the official SMS that striker Lee Thorpe had signed for the club from Brentford.

Thorpe started his long career at Blackpool FC, moving on to clubs such as Lincoln City, Swansea City, Bristol Rovers and Torquay United. The news has come as a bit of a shock especially with it being so late in the day.

But the striker negotiated his own release from his current contract at Brentford to join up with Keith Hill’s Rochdale. The striker has signed on a short term deal and from what the Official Site has said, it seems that this will be our only piece of transfer action today. 

Thorpe was sent off on his debut for Brentford during a 2-1 win over Barnet and scored four goals in 21 appearances for the Bees. His goals coming against Chester, Dagenham, Rotherham and Bradford respectively.

Thorpe is Dale's direct replacement for Glenn Murray and is available to make his home debut against Darren Ferguson's Peterborough United on Saturday. Who just so happen to be one of Thorpe's former clubs...

On first impression from this news I must admit straight away that it’s hard to pass judgement on Lee Thorpe. From the times I’ve seen him he’s tall, does a lot of running, but he’s never really posed a threat to Rochdale attacking wise.

And it would seem that fans from both sides are a little confused by the move with Brentford fans wanting to know 'what our club knows that theirs doesn't'.

It will certainly be interesting to see how he does under Hill and Flitcroft. If you have a view on Thorpe signing for Dale you can share it with the rest of the site users by finding the thread on the messageboard.

More reaction to come from us with regards to Lee Thorpe signing for Dale tomorrow.

Photo: Action Images

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