In a surprising move, Dale have re-signed midfielder Joe Thompson on a deal which sees him at the club on a six month contract.
This news has brought something of a mixed reaction from supporters following Saturday's home defeat by Peterborough, but with rules on loan signs having tightened over the Summer, you can perhaps see the logic of adding bodies to the squad.
Eagle eyed viewers spotted Thompson sat on the Dale bench in the recent friendly at FCUM, though he wasn't wearing a club tracksuit. However, following training with the club over the past two weeks he has signed a deal which will keep him at the Crown Oil Arena until the January transfer window.
Since leaving Dale for Tranmere, he has had a loan spells at Spotland, Southport and Wrexham and spent time at Bury and Carlisle. He had a well publicised battle with cancer that he successfully won.