In an eye-catching move, Dale have strengthened their midfield this afternoon with the arrival of highly experienced midfielder Adam Clayton.
The 34 year old arrives on a one year deal following his release from Bradford City at the end of last season.
A product of the Manchester City academy, Clayton spent spells on loan with Carlisle and Leeds as a youngster before making the switch to Elland Road a permanent one in 2010.
After two years at Leeds and loan spells with Peterborough and MK Dons, he moved to fellow Yorkshire outfit Huddersfield and spent two further seasons with the Terriers before making the switch to Middlesbrough.
It was at the Riverside Stadium where Clayton enjoyed the best spell of his career so far, featuring as a first-team regular for six consecutive seasons, including one in the Premier League after helping Boro to win promotion in 2016/17.
Since leaving Teesside he's played for Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City and arrives at Dale having played 500 career games in all competitions.
A deep-lying midfielder who's tough in the tackle and has an eye for a pass, he brings a wealth of experience to a squad that was perhaps lacking in such an area ahead of Dale's first ever season as a non-league club.