Rovers have secured the contract extension of ‘an important part of the team’ in Derrick Williams, according to boss Tony Mowbray.

Williams has penned a new three-year deal having come in to the final 12 months of his previous deal which he signed in 2016.

The Ireland international has missed just one league game since Mowbray took charge in February 2017 and was the club’s 2016/17 player of the season.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last month that Rovers had opened talks with the defender, with Williams confirming a deal was close earlier this week.

And after seeing the 25-year-old become the latest player to commit his future to the club, Mowbray said: “We are happy and I think it was always going to happen. It took a while, as these deals often do to iron out the fine details, but we’re pleased to secure Derrick for another few years.

“I see Derrick as an important, stable part of our team who is adaptable in playing at full back or at centre back, and he’s a good character in the dressing room who takes things on board.

“I’m delighted he had put pen-to-paper and hopefully we will have a few more doing the same in the next few weeks.”

The Rovers boss added: “I watch Derrick and physically he is immense.

“He’s big, enjoys running either short distances of long distances and he’s a key cog for us in the wheel who works hard every day.

“He’s an important part of the dressing room and let’s hope he is as consistent next season as he was last season.”

Williams follows Ireland team-mate Darragh Lenihan in agreeing a new contract as Rovers continue to reward their senior names for last season’s promotion.

Williams, signed for around £250,000 from Bristol City in 2016, missed just one game last term, the penultimate fixture at Charlton Athletic, and was a dependable figure at left-back.

He also slotted in at the heart of the defence after an injury to Charlie Mulgrew in February and has featured 93 times in all for the club.

He will look to kick-on at the club after penning fresh terms at Ewood, with Rovers hopeful more players will follow suit, with League One player of the year Bradley Dack among that list.

“The solidity of the squad and a squad which is competitive, can grow together and put building blocks in place for the next four or five years at least is important,” Mowbray added.