NEAL TROTMAN has joined Town’s League I rivals Rochdale.
The former loan centre-back has signed a two-year deal at Spotland after his contract at Preston expired.
The 24-year-old played 23 times for Town the season before last, featuring in both legs of the League I play-off semi-final clash with Millwall.
He spent the bulk of last season on loan to Oldham, who gave him his break in League football after he was released as a junior by Burnley.
Preston paid £500,000 for him in January 2008, since when he has also had loan spells at Colchester and Southampton.
Trotman, who had a loan stint at Halifax during his first spell at Oldham, said: “I just want to improve and I believe I’m at the right place to do that.
“There was interest from a couple of clubs and one of the things that swung it for me was the management team here.
“I’ve heard some very good things about them, their coaching methods and the way they want to play.”
Steve Eyre’s side play host to Town in League I on Saturday, August 13.
