​Rotherham United have completed the signings of free agent midfielders Ossama Ashley and Jamie Jellis. Ashley, aged 26, has agreed to a one-year contract with the club after departing Salford City at the end of the previous season. During his time with Salford, he made 66 appearances across three seasons, contributing his experience and versatility in midfield.
Jamie Jellis, who is 25, left Walsall earlier this summer after recording six goals in 80 league appearances. He has joined Rotherham on a two-year deal, adding further depth and attacking menace from midfield to Alex Bruce’s lineup. Jellis brings a track record of contributing goals and assists from midfield along with a willingness to work hard across both halves of the pitch.
The arrivals ofAshley and Jellis come on the heels of Rotherham’s earlier summer activity, which has seen the club secure four new players. Prior to these two signings, forward options Aaron Nemane and Fabio Tavares had already joined the Millers, reinforcing the squad as they prepare for a new campaign in the English Football League.
With these additions, Rotherham United are building a squad capable of competing across the divisions, and their goal is clear: to push for strong performances and promotion aspirations as they navigate a campaign that will see them playing in the fourth tier of English football for the first time in 13 years. The club’s recruitment reflects an emphasis on balance and flexibility in midfield, with Ashley and Jellis expected to bring different strengths to the side.
Ashley’s experience in midfield will be valuable for Rotherham as they seek consistency and solidity in the engine room. His time at Salford City, across three seasons, has equipped him with a good understanding of the demands of league football, and he will be looking to translate that knowledge into regular performances for the Millers. His signing suggests that the club are prioritising depth in central areas, ensuring they have dependable options to rotate and maintain intensity across a demanding schedule.
Jellis, meanwhile, will offer the Millers dynamic movement and goal-threat from midfield. His time at Walsall, where he found the back of the net on several occasions and contributed eight-figure numbers across his league appearances, hints at a midfielder who can contribute offensively while still performing his defensive duties. His two-year deal signals Rotherham’s commitment to him as a long-term contributor who can help shape the team’s attacking play from central areas and potentially from the flanks, depending on how the manager chooses to deploy him.
The two signings, combined with the earlier acquisitions of Nemane and Tavares, indicate that Rotherham are constructing a squad capable of adapting to different systems and opponents. Nemane’s pace and directness, in particular, provide a different threat on the wings, while Tavares offers versatility in the forward line and the potential to operate across several attacking roles. This blend of midfield, forward, and winger options gives the Millers a broader toolbox to draw upon as they approach the new season.
As the club prepares for the 2026-27 campaign, Rotherham United will be looking to make a strong impression in the fourth tier of English football for the first time in over a decade. The challenge will be significant, but the strategic recruitment appears aimed at building a cohesive unit capable of competing at the higher levels of the league system and affording the manager a range of tactical options. The new signings, alongside the existing squad, will be expected to push the club’s ambitions forward as they strive for success in a demanding campaign.
Stay tuned for further updates on Rotherham United’s squad development, injury news, and potential additional signings as they fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming season. The club’s supporters will be keen to see how Ashley, Jellis, Nemane, and Tavares integrate into the team and contribute to a campaign that carries both pressure and promise in equal measure. All the latest Rotherham United news, as it unfolds, will continue to be tracked to provide comprehensive coverage for fans and followers looking to stay informed and engaged with the Millers’ journey.