Michael Boateng became the 15th and final summer signing of the 2011 off-season by new Rovers manager Paul Buckle when he put pen to paper on 19 July 2011, 29 days before his 20th birthday. The Londoner was a Carshalton Athletic player when he joined Rovers on trial during the 2011–12 pre-season, and played in three of the club's friendly fixtures after having been recommended by former Carshalton 'Football Consultant' and ex-Rovers Director of Football Lennie Lawrence. His performances in the games and in training, coupled with a glowing character reference, was enough to persuade Buckle to sign him, and he went on to play in three more of the warm-up matches for the new season.