Rotherham United have been working with Tom Lees as the club explores experienced defensive options following relegation to League Two. The 35-year-old, who spent the 2025/26 season at Peterborough United, has been involved in training sessions at the club while manager Alex Bruce and his staff assess whether a short-term move would suit both player and club.
Experience under consideration
Lees arrived at Rotherham on a trial basis after leaving Peterborough at the end of his contract. Across a long career he has amassed almost 700 senior appearances since his senior debut while on loan from Leeds at Accrington Stanley in 2009. The club face the task of reshaping a squad to compete in the fourth tier of the English Football League, and the recruitment of seasoned professionals is part of that planning.
- Player: Tom Lees, aged 35
- Most recent club: Peterborough United (2025/26 season)
- Club context: Rotherham will play in League Two next season under new head coach Alex Bruce
What the manager says
"He's one that we're looking at. Obviously, he's an experienced player. I've known Tom for a long time. He's been in a couple of times to do a couple of sessions. We've got to monitor him. His pedigree speaks for itself. We need to make sure it's right for Tom and make sure he's right for us. We're going to see how that pans out over the next few days."
Bruce, appointed as Rotherham's head coach last month, drew on his previous connection with Lees. The pair were team-mates at Leeds, appearing together during the 2011/12 Championship season. That relationship appears to have informed the club's interest and the low-risk approach of initial training sessions rather than an immediate contract offer.
Career overview and local implications
Lees' pathway through the English game is well documented: a loan introduction at Accrington, a substantial spell at Leeds United where he made 135 appearances, followed by a long period at Sheffield Wednesday amounting to 274 appearances. He subsequently turned out for Huddersfield Town for four seasons before a 2025/26 campaign with Peterborough.
| Club | Noted appearances |
|---|---|
| Leeds United | 135 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 274 |
| Other senior clubs | Included Accrington loan debut, Huddersfield Town (four seasons), Peterborough United (2025/26) |
For Rotherham supporters the arrival — even on a short-term basis — of a defender with such a record could bring leadership and familiarity with the demands of the English Football League. The immediate consequence for the squad is an addition to competition for places and a possible short-term stabiliser at the back as the club adapts to life in League Two.
Further developments are expected in the coming days as the club decides whether to offer Lees terms that would see him sign for Rotherham ahead of the new season.
