Ex-Hearts winger Sam Nicholson reveals why he chose Bristol Rovers after leaving USA

Scot puts pen to paper after passing medical

Sam Nicholson has joined Bristol Rovers as a free agent.

Sam Nicholson has completed his move to Bristol Rovers by signing a two-year contract with the English League One club.

The 25-year-old will continue his career in the south west despite interest from several clubs in both Scotland and England, including Hearts.

He left the American side Colorado Rapids earlier this month after agreeing to terminate his contract for family reasons.

Although he held talks with Hearts manager Robbie Neilson about a possible return to Tynecastle Park, Nicholson committed his future to Rovers after passing a medical.

He explained that the club’s manager, Ben Garner, was a key factor in the decision.

“Joining Rovers is something that I've been looking forward to since arriving back in the UK,” the player told the Rovers website.

“I've had chats with the manager and I know the direction of the club moving forward. For any player, that's very exciting and once I heard what he had to say, my mind was made up.

“Playing in England is something that I've always wanted to do and now I'm looking forward to settling in with the players in the squad and getting used to the league.”

Nicholson graduated from the Riccarton youth academy and spent four years as a Hearts first-team player before joining Minnesota United in 2017. He moved to Colorado 12 months later.

Asked about his formative years at Hearts, he added: “I came through the youth system there and supported them as a boy. It was good to get through to the first team and play as many games as I did.

“I was lucky enough to get over 100 games with them. It’s something I was really proud of but it’s time for a new challenge. I want to play as many games as I can here, improve and hopefully help the team out.

“I did a little bit of research on the city, just asking people what it’s like, and I’ve only heard good things. I’m really looking forward to it.”

For Rovers fans wanting to know about his style of play, Nicholson described his direct and attack-minded approach from wide areas.

“I’m a winger, I like playing on both sides, I like taking people on and trying to create chances,” he explained. “I don’t know if that's going to happen every time but that’s what I like to do.

“I think every player in the team is going to want to take it all out because we haven’t been able to train through the virus. I think everyone is raring to go.”

After three years in America, he said being closer to family in Scotland was also one of the reasons he returned to Britain.

“It’s different and it was a good experience for me. I went over when I was 22 so I was relatively young. It was just something I wanted to experience,” he stated.

"I was surprised by the standard of football, it’s a good level. I’ve enjoyed it but I just feel it’s time to be closer to home, closer to family and stuff like that. So I’m delighted.”

Garner outlined his delight at capturing Nicholson’s signature. “We are delighted to sign Sam and are very pleased that we have managed to secure his services for the season ahead,” he said.

“A lot of work has gone into the recruitment process and we believe he matches the type of player and character that we want in the building moving forward.

“He's got a great mixture of experience, having played at the highest level in Scotland and also in America with the MLS.

“He's a dynamic player who can play on either side of the pitch & is very versatile. Sam is a great dribbler who can both create and score goals. We hope he can have a big impact.”

Nicholson is due to begin pre-season training ahead of the new League One campaign and is viewed as a player who can help the club’s promotion push.

He is Rovers’ fourth signing in the last week following the arrivals of defenders Max Ehmer, Jack Baldwin and Josh Grant.

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