Why Rotherham United gave Tolaji Bola a three-year contract

Left-back Tolaji Bola arrived at AESSEAL New York Stadium from Premier League Arsenal last week on a deal that takes him through to 2024.

The Millers are protecting their interests as a consequence of tying right-back Olosunde to the club for only two years in 2019 and then losing him for free to Preston North End this summer.

“The reason Tolaji has got a three-year contract is because we got our fingers burned a little bit with Matt,” manager Paul Warne said

“Both parties are happy with a three-year deal and hopefully he will be here for all three years. It does give us a bit more security.”

Bola, aged 22, didn’t make a senior appearance for the Gunners but was a regular in their under-23 side and had 11 League One outings during a loan spell with Rochdale last term. He comes with a reputation for versatility but Warne plans to used him as a full-back if he proves to be better than long-serving Joe Mattock who has been troubled by recent injuries.

“He could play left-sided centre-half with a bit of help, left wing-back or left-back,” the boss said. “I see him more as a left-back.

“There are certain people who catch my eye more than others. He is really athletic. He’s a powerful lad who can defend and also run forward and put a decent cross in. That’s everything I want from my full-backs.”

Rotherham didn’t have an option to extend the contract of Olosunde  and he turned down a new deal.

The Millers would normally have been entitled to compensation from the Lilywhites because the American defender was under 24.

However, they received nothing because their offer to the 23-year-old, following their relegation to League One, was for less money than he had been earning in the Championship.