PAUL Caddis is excited about the challenges ahead after finalising a deal to become a Rovers player, six months after first arriving at the club.

Caddis was unveiled as Rovers’ sixth summer signing, penning a two-year deal, after a successful three week trial at the club.

The 29-year-old travelled with the squad for a training camp in Austria and has featured in all three pre-season friendlies to date.

He previously spent time on trial at Rovers in January, only to sign a short-term deal with Bury, but was delighted to earn a permanent deal at Ewood Park after his spell with the Shakers ended.

“I’m excited. I’m looking forward to this season,” Caddis said. “I was here for a week a few months ago, so I got to know the place a bit.

“I believe I was pretty close to getting a deal, but it dragged on a bit and I was waiting on other things that were out of my hands.

“So it isn’t as new as it would have been if I wasn’t here before. I’m excited, I got on well with the lads and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”

Caddis scored twice in a 70 minute showing against York City on Tuesday, having played 30 minutes against Sparta Prague and the first half of the 2-1 win at Barrow.

The Scot has worked with head coach Tony Mowbray before, and is the third of the club’s six summer signings to reunite himself with the boss.

The pair spent time together at Celtic, where Caddis came through the youth set up, before joining with Swindon Town and Birmingham City.

Caddis will look to add competition to teenager Ryan Nyambe at right-back.

Mowbray described Caddis as a ‘different type’ to the powerful and athletic Nyambe, and was pleased to reward the Scotland international full-back with a permanent contract after working hard on his fitness since turning up for a trial.

“I know the manager. I’ve worked with him before,” Caddis told the club’s official website.

“I know his philosophy of football and how he wants to play and I think that suits me, so I’m looking forward to a successful season.

“I grew up in the youth ranks at Celtic and people that know Celtic as a club know their full-backs like to attack and that is the mentality that I have got

“I like getting forward. My best attributes are going up the pitch. The manager knows that and I know that is the way he likes to play.

“But at the same time, I understand having played in this league before it isn’t always about getting forward, there’ll be times where we’ve got to defend and I’m confident in my ability that I can do that as well.”

Caddis is Rovers’ sixth signing of the summer, joining Peter Whittingham, Richie Smallwood, Bradley Dack, Ben Gladwin and Dominic Samuel through the Ewood Park arrivals door.

Mowbray is now likely to turn his attentions to the loan market as he looks to add further strength to his squad with the aim of launching an immediate challenge for promotion back to the Championship.