League One side Rochdale swoop for Torquay United keeper Brendan Moore

LEAGUE ONE side Rochdale have swooped for Torquay United goalkeeper Brendan Moore after the stopper’s impressive season with the Gulls.

The 25-year-old American came to England in 2015 and signed for Fleetwood Town after graduating from North Carolina University and turning down offers from the MLS.

He failed to make an appearance for the Cod Army, however, and joined Torquay permanently last summer after a successful loan spell towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

Moore played in all 46 of Torquay’s National League games last season and despite avoiding relegation by just three points, the Gulls had the tenth best defensive record in the division.

The keeper joins Dale, who finished ninth in League One last season, on a two-year deal and follows in the footsteps of Barrow winger Jordan Williams, who signed for Rochdale last week.

Moore told Rochdale’s website: “I’m really excited to be a part of this club. Rochdale have been successful in the past and I want to be part of the club’s successes in the future.

“It’s exciting to be joining a club that does consistently well and has a staff that are dedicated to the club.

“The staff I’ve met so far all seem to be great and I can’t wait to meet to meet the boys. I’m looking forward to getting started and get into pre-season in a couple of weeks.”

Torquay boss Kevin Nicholson has, however, strengthened his defence with the signing of former Birmingham City, AFC Telford, Chester and Southport right-back Ryan Higgins.

“Ryan is a player who I have admired for a while now,” Nicholson said. “For Chester and Southport over the last couple of seasons, he has been the stand out player each time we have played them.

“His athletic potential is fantastic, and he’s hungry to climb the league again. He has that bit of fire that I like in players, and I expect him to hit the ground running and show our fans what he is all about from day one.

“I am excited to work with someone with the raw materials and the attitude that he has, as I believe we will help develop Ryan into a Football League player.

“Pre-season is just around the corner now, and we are building the squad nicely. All of the players have the right character that I am looking for.”