theglobalsun – Doncaster Rovers have strengthened their squad by signing goalkeeper Tommy Simkin on a season-long loan from Championship club Stoke City.
The 21-year-old arrives at the Eco-Power Stadium after gaining valuable experience in both the Championship and lower divisions of English football. He is expected to provide strong competition for the number one jersey during the 2026-27 League One campaign.
Simkin made 15 Championship appearances for Stoke City last season while deputising for injured goalkeepers Viktor Johansson and Gavin Bazunu.
Earlier in the campaign, the young goalkeeper spent the first half of the season on loan at Leyton Orient before Stoke recalled him in January to bolster their first-team squad.
Simkin Brings Experience Beyond His Years
Although only 21, Simkin has already accumulated significant experience through several loan spells.
Before joining Doncaster, he represented Solihull Moors, Forest Green Rovers, Leyton Orient, and Walsall.
His most successful loan came with Walsall during the 2024-25 season. When he made 47 appearances and helped the Saddlers reach the League Two play-offs.
In addition to his club experience, Simkin has also featured on the international stage.
The goalkeeper is part of England’s Under-21 setup and was included in the squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia in 2025.
His experience across the Championship, League One. And League Two makes him one of the more seasoned young goalkeepers in English football.
Goalkeeper Excited by Doncaster’s Ambition
Speaking after completing the move, Simkin said he believed another loan spell was the right step in his development and praised Doncaster’s long-term ambitions.
“In goalkeeper terms, I’m still really young, and I knew I needed to come out on loan again. And I couldn’t think of a better place than here,” Simkin told the club’s official website.
“After speaking to the gaffer, he’s got a goal in his frame of mind, what he wants to achieve. And it matches mine as well.”
Doncaster goalkeeping coach Kyle Letheren also expressed his excitement about working with the young goalkeeper.
“For someone who is only 21, he has experienced quite a lot over the last three years playing in the Championship, League One and League Two,” Letheren said.
“It is brilliant to see Stoke have trusted us to continue his development. And we are looking forward to working with him.”
Doncaster finished 14th in League One during the 2025-26 season after securing promotion by winning the League Two title the previous year.
