Exclusive: Kilgallon's choice is coup for Doncaster Rovers

Kilgallon's decision to join Rovers on loan until the end of the season has shocked a lengthy list of Championship managers, including Micky Adams, Simon Grayson and Sven Goran Eriksson. The former England Under-21 international defender could have made more money with a different club but is convinced that a spell at Rovers will do more to revive his career.

Kilgallon, also wanted by Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City, endured a nightmare 12 months after leaving the Blades to join Sunderland in a 1m deal last season.

He was dropped by Sunderland manager Steve Bruce after just four games in the Premier League and then a six-month loan move to Middlesbrough quickly turned sour.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post last night, Kilgallon said: "This is a fresh start for me and I just wish it could have been done sooner. The last 12 months have not been enjoyable and I just want to play football again.

"Hopefully, I can put in a few good performances and Doncaster will want to keep me. I would like to stay on a permanent basis – I am sick of sitting around the house doing nothing on Friday nights."

The three major shareholders on the Rovers' board – chairman John Ryan, vice-chairman Dick Watson and director Terry Bramall – have each dipped into their pockets to fund Kilgallon's wages.

Ryan believes the move has underlined the club's ambition to win promotion to the Premier League this season.

"We fought off competition from a lot of top clubs to get Matthew because we think we have a genuine chance of doing something this season," said Ryan.

"We are also backing our manager (Sean O'Driscoll) who has shown loyalty to us despite interest from other clubs."

Kilgallon, who is from York, started his career with Leeds and made nearly 100 appearances for the Elland Road club before joining Sheffield United in the Premier League for 1.75m in January 2007.

After three years at Bramall Lane, in which the Blades suffered relegation from the Premier League and defeat in the Championship play-off final, Kilgallon landed another crack at the top flight with Sunderland.

However, the defender remains baffled by his slide down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light.

"I am gutted at the way things have worked out up there," he said. "I never did anything wrong or made any big mistakes yet, for some reason, the manager just didn't want to give a me a run of games, and I have never really been told why. Maybe if I play well, he might fancy me again."

Offered a lifeline by Middlesbrough last summer, Kilgallon suffered a back injury just three games into a season-long loan deal.

"When I got myself fit, they said they didn't want me back because of my wages," he claimed. "They said they wanted the money off the wage bill instead.

"You just have to get on with things when that happens and, for the last three or four weeks, I have been training back at Sunderland."

With his loan deal at Middlesbrough effectively over, Kilgallon had the dilemma of which club to pick from a list of suitors.

"A lot of other clubs wanted me and some were going to pay more money," he added. "But how often do you hear people say it is hard to go back to an old club?

"I spoke to Sheffield United and Micky Adams asked if I fancied it but, to be honest, I just fancied something different. There was also talk of going back to Leeds but there are different people there now and I don't think it would have worked. I still hope Sheffield United do well and Leeds, too, who are flying in the table.

"But, with a bit of luck, I can help Doncaster win promotion to the Premier League. I have come close to promotion from the Championshp twice – with Leeds and Sheffield – so maybe this will be third time lucky.

"They have a good team and good team spirit and the manager is known for playing really good football. I know a few of the players already – Neil Sullivan, Martin Woods and John Oster – and I am raring to go. What's happened has not knocked my confidence – in fact it is nice to know that people still want me."

Rovers have released midfielders Simon Whaley and Robbie Clark. Former Preston winger Whaley, 25, arrived on a non-contract basis two months ago but was only on the bench for one game.

Clark, 19, made his first-team debut in the Carling Cup game against Accrington Stanley in August but has not figured since.

Rovers' home game against Ipswich Town, postponed last month, has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 (7.45pm).