Raw ability and overcoming a rare condition - lowdown on Alex Kiwomya's time at Doncaster Rovers as striker signs for Chesterfield

The 24-year-old had a loan spell at Town in the 2018/19 season, scoring four goals in 16 appearances.

Born in Sheffield, he joined Chelsea’s academy as a youngster and went out on loan to Barnsley, Fleetwood Town and Crewe before signing for Rovers in 2017 where he has spent the last three years. He finished last season on loan at Chorley in the National League.

We caught up with Doncaster Rovers journalist, Liam Hoden, of the Doncaster Free Press, who provided the following analysis of Kiwomya’s time at the Keepmoat Stadium…

"Kiwomya arrived at Rovers as probably the most exciting signing of the summer of 2017 - a Chelsea academy product who had impressed during loan spells out in the Football League.“But his career at the Keepmoat never really got going due to incredibly unfortunate circumstances.“A matter of days into pre-season training he was diagnosed with the rare auto-immune condition Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can be life threatening or cause paralysis. Though he recovered, the impact on his body was severe and once he was given the go-ahead to train again, he basically had to rebuild his muscular system.“Remarkably, he managed to make his Rovers debut in February and made 12 appearances before the end of the season, scoring one goal.“It was clear however that while his incredible pace largely remained intact, his physicality was still in the process of recovery as he lacked the strength to deal with many one-on-one challenges. “Kiwomya looked shorn of confidence too, particularly in front of goal, and the patience from coaches at the club wore thin as time rolled on.“He picked up injuries as well, ending his mini-run at the start of the following season and ultimately leading to his loan spell with Chesterfield from October 18 onwards.“As time passed, he drifted further and further away from the plans of successive managers and effectively was locked in the U23s group whenever back with the club between loan spells.“It is clear there is a lot of raw ability there, particularly with his pace and ability to run with the ball. But unfortunately Rovers never really saw that develop.”