DANNY Graham is determined to kick-start his career with Blackburn Rovers after becoming the first of two new additions on a busy day of transfer activity at Ewood Park.

The Sunderland striker signed on loan until the end of the season and was then joined by Elliott Ward on a permanent deal after the defender negotiated his release from Bournemouth.

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Graham has scored just one goal in 25 starts and 17 substitute appearances at Sunderland following his £5m switch from Premier League rivals Swansea City three years ago.

But he developed a reputation as a marksman of some repute at Swansea, where he netted 21 goals in 62 games, and Watford, where he was the Championship’s top scorer in the 2010-11 season.

And, after loan spells at Hull City, his former club Middlesbrough and most recently Wolves, the 30-year-old is determined to prove his doubters wrong at Rovers.

Graham said: “My time at Sunderland has been very frustrating so for me to have a fresh challenge is superb.

“I’ve been out on loan a lot and I’ve never really had a solid run in the team, which would have been nice, but the key for me is something fresh, to move away from the north east and just concentrate on my football.

“Now that I know I’m here until the end of the season, I can get my head down, work hard in training and hopefully do well for this football club and move up the table.

“Like I said, it’s been a frustrating time at Sunderland, but now I can get back playing week-in week-out and prove a few people wrong.”

Graham, who will be a free agent in the summer, is the streetwise striker Rovers boss Paul Lambert has been targeting since his appointment in November.

“Being a striker, goals are the main thing, but also holding the ball up and allowing the team to get higher up the pitch,” added Graham, who will not be able to play for Rovers in the FA Cup having featured for Sunderland in their third-round loss at holders Arsenal.

“I’m comfortable with both. My goal record hasn’t been as good over the last couple of years but I’m not worried about that. I know it’s still in me and that fresh start can help me.”

Graham is in line to make his Rovers debut in Saturday’s Championship clash at Charlton Athletic.

And so too is former West Ham United, Coventry City and Norwich City centre-back Ward after he put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract with Rovers last night.

Earlier in the day the final six months of the 31-year-old’s Bournemouth deal were cancelled by mutual agreement.

And Ward, who worked under Lambert at Norwich and spent the first half of the season on loan at Huddersfield Town, said: “It has been a busy few days to try and get it done but I’m really pleased and I can’t wait to get started training and crack on.

“I’m looking forward to putting on the shirt and hopefully being involved.

“Paul Lambert demands standards and he definitely brought mine up a few notches at Norwich and that’s something I want to get back to on a regular basis.”