NIGERIA international midfielder Hope Akpan has completed a permanent move to Blackburn Rovers.

Akpan has signed a two-year deal at Ewood Park after coming to an agreement with Reading to cancel the final 11 months of his three-and-a-half year contract.

The 23-year-old becomes Rovers boss Gary Bowyer’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window after Sacha Petshi, Fode Koita, Danny Guthrie, Nathan Delfouneso and Modou Barrow.

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Former Everton youngster Akpan, who was born in Liverpool but plays internationally for the country of his parents, said: “I am happy to get the deal done.

“It took a bit longer than we first thought but everything is good to go and I am happy to be here.

“It’s a massive club, with a lot of history, and I’ve been around the training ground and the stadium, and they are top-drawer facilities.

“I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get going.”

Akpan has not been signed in time to make his debut in tonight’s Capital One Cup first-round tie at home to Shrewsbury Town.

Reading manager Steve Clarke said: “Last season was a frustrating one for Hope due to injury and lack of game-time. 

“It is an area of the pitch where we are well covered and it would be wrong to deny Hope the chance to play matches and start to move his career forward again. 

“He was always a good person in my squad with the correct attitude towards training and I wish him well for the future.”