Manager Keith Hill has expressed his delight at securing the services of Stephen Dawson and Tom Kennedy.
Dawson signed a one-year-deal on Wednesday, while Kennedy out pen to paper on a short-term contract on Thursday.
Hill told Dale Player: “We’re very close to what we want on the football pitch, but I need players out there who have experience. I can put my trust in the younger players but I need a little bit of know-how, a bit of nous and a lot of aggression.
“Stephen Dawson has got a lot of aggression and he’s pedigree. He’s played a lot of Championship and League One football and it was great to get the deal done. It was in the offing for quite a while, and if I’m being honest I thought I had missed out on him and was going to recruit another midfield player, but at the last minute he became available again. I’m so glad I’ve got the deal done because it’s a very good player for us and he’ll help develop them younger players as well.
“And for me, it’s a catch 22. I want to help develop the football club and develop these young players and not spend too much money where necessary, but I’ve also got to be very mindful of what the supporters want.
“The supporters want success on the pitch and that means winning football matches. Stephen Dawson is 100% a winner, he’s an aggressive winner and I feel as though he’ll add to the balance of the squad that we’re creating.
“I’m also really pleased to recruit Tom Kennedy. He’s 29 years of age, he played 43 Championship games last season and it’s a quality signing.
“He’s more than capable and compatible with winning in League One and that’s why I brought him to the club.”
The full interview is available on Dale Player.