Exeter sign midfielder on deadline day

Ryan Woods on loan from Hull

Exeter City have made their fifth signing of the transfer window just hours before it closes.

Defensive midfielder Ryan Woods joined on loan from Championship side Hull City until the end of the season, subject to EFL clearance, having spent the first half on loan at Bristol Rovers.

He has well over 250 appearances in the Championship. 

The 30-year-old began his career with his hometown club Walsall before progressing through Shrewsbury's academy, before making over 100 appearances for Salop in both League One and Two. He earned a move to Brentford in 2015, reportedly for £1 million, and played all but 16 league games in his first three second-tier seasons. 

He's also featured for Stoke City, Millwall and Birmingham City before signing a three-year contract with Hull in August 2022, making 26 apperances for them last season. 

Woods made 16 appearances for Bristol Rovers this season before he was recalled to the MKM Stadium three weeks ago. 

Manager Gary Caldwell said "I've seen over the years at different levels and he's had a fantastic career. He has a quality in possession that can get the team playing, he's very positives and gets the ball moving forward. He's very tenacious, aggressive in winning the ball and a player with great experience to help the younger group.

"It's important in difficult moments when you're up against to have players who have felt those moments before to navigate you through that. There's no substitute for experience."

He will wear number 8.