Joe Rothwell believes Rovers are the perfect fit after becoming the club’s first summer signing.

The 23-year-old joins on a three year deal from Oxford United for an undisclosed fee and will link up with his team-mates for the first time tomorrow.

Rothwell almost made the move to Ewood Park in the January window, but was a deal that Rovers revisited this summer with his deal due to expire.

The two clubs agreed a fee, with Rothwell being under 24, to ensure the deal didn’t need to go before a tribunal.

And the versatile midfielder was delighted to get the deal over the line before the players head out to Austria tomorrow.

“I’m thrilled that the deal has finally been completed,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of an ongoing thing since January so I’m really pleased that the deal has gone through.

 “Obviously from the interest the club had in me in January, things were close to happening back then.

“Ever since then really I’ve had this as the club I wanted to come to if I was to leave Oxford.”

Former Manchester United youngster Rothwell, who played against Rovers on the final day of the season, is experienced in League One having made 73 of his 76 senior league appearances at that level.

He featured three times in the Championship for Blackpool during a loan spell in 2015, including a substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw with Rovers at Ewood.

Rothwell is looking forward to testing himself in the Championship, and is looking forward to working with boss Tony Mowbray following their discussions during the negotiations.

He added: “Speaking to the manager, the ambitions he has and how he wants to play, it really fits into my style well.

“If things go the way he wants them to then I think we’ll be right up there next season.

“The gaffer loves his football, you can tell that straight from speaking to him.

“He’s 100% committed to this football club and I’ll be the same.”

Rothwell will provide extra competition in the midfield areas, though Rovers could still look to add another player in that central position.

On what he will bring to the team, Rothwell added: “I can play in a couple of positions but I enjoy playing inside centrally and I’d say my main strength is picking up the ball and driving forward, bringing other people into play.

 “I’m mainly someone who likes to go forward but I’m aware that there is another side of playing in midfield as well.

“But mainly driving forward and chipping in with goals and assists is what I’ll be looking to do.”

The Rovers players will report back for pre-season tomorrow before flying out to the Oberwart district of Austria.

They will spend a week in the Austrian mountains working on their fitness, with no match planned during their stay.

International quartet Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams, Charlie Mulgrew and Derrick Williams won’t travel, following their exertions with their respective countries earlier in the month.

But the rest of the squad will join up, giving Rothwell the perfect opportunity to mix in with the group.

He will get the first chance to show his qualities when the pre-season friendlies get underway on July 8 when Rovers travel to Hibs.