IT’S A DONE DEAL: Another mega star player committed to the Rotherham United just…..
Rotherham United have signed former Exeter City defender Zak Jules, who declined a new contract offer from Exeter City, according to an announcement on the club’s X page.
The 27-year-old, adept at playing both centre-back and left-back, is the Millers’ eighth summer acquisition as manager Steve Evans aims to overhaul the squad. New additions include Joe Rafferty, Jonson Clarke-Harris, and Sean Raggett.
Zak has had a nomadic career, never staying at one club for more than two seasons. He began at Reading’s academy and had loan stints at Hemel Hempstead and Braintree Town. In 2017, he joined SPL side Motherwell for the latter half of the year.
Subsequently, he signed with Shrewsbury Town but spent the 17/18 season on loan at Chesterfield, where he made six appearances, and Port Vale, where he played twice. In the 18/19 season, he returned to Shrewsbury and was loaned to Barnet, appearing four times, and then to Macclesfield, where he played 14 league games.
Zak then joined League Two’s Walsall on a two-year contract, making 34 league appearances over one-and-a-half years before transferring to MK Dons in January 2020, where he made 20 appearances in the latter half of the season.
The 21/22 season was challenging for him, with just seven appearances before going on loan to Fleetwood Town, where he played 20 times in the second half of the season. Upon returning to MK Dons, he played 32 games in a relegation season for the club. He then moved to Exeter City, playing 40 league games as they finished mid-table.
Zak adds speed to Rotherham’s defense, fitting into Steve Evans’ preferred 4-3-1-2 formation, which emphasizes physical strength and defensive solidity. At 6ft 2in, Zak is expected to play as a left centre-back, replacing Tyler Blackett, who also played both centre-back and left-back positions.
He will likely form a backline with fellow new signings Sean Raggett and Joe Rafferty. Despite a lower success rate in aerial duels last season, winning only 55% and ranking in the 25th percentile, Zak is confident with the ball, often advancing it out of defense.
