DANNY Graham completed his return to Blackburn Rovers to widespread fan approval and admitted – it’s great to feel wanted.

Graham yesterday put pen to paper on two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months after Rovers fought off fierce competition for his signature.

The striker was in demand after grabbing seven goals in 18 games during a highly successful loan stay at Ewood Park in the second half of last season.

But the desire shown by new Rovers boss Owen Coyle and the team-mates he swiftly formed a strong bond with convinced Graham to ignore offers from elsewhere.

“I’m delighted to be back and to get everything finalised and now I’m looking forward to the start of pre-season on Monday,” said the 30-year-old, who was a free agent after his unhappy three-year spell at Sunderland came to an end.

“The gaffer has constantly been ringing me. Literally I’ve not been able to get him off the phone. That’s nice to have as a player, somebody who wants you that much. 

“Likewise with the players. A lot of the lads have been texting me, asking if and when I was coming back, and now it’s all done I’m just delighted to be here.

“It’s been a long summer, trying to get stuff sorted out, but we got there in the end, and now it’s all about just getting back out there on to the pitch.”

Rover supporters are delighted to see Graham back in the blue and white halves.

And the former Watford and Swansea City frontman said: “I’m glad the fans are happy that I’m back.

“As a loan player you’ve got to do well and work hard for the team and I think I showed that even when I wasn’t scoring.

“I always put 110 per cent in for the team, no matter what, and I will continue to do that.

“Now it’s important we all pull together, and hopefully the gaffer will make a few more signings, and we can start the hard work toward that first game of the season.”

Graham becomes Coyle’s third signing of the summer with out-of-contract Bolton Wanderers winger Liam Feeney, on a free transfer, and highly-rated Manchester City midfielder Jack Byrne, on a season-long loan, also set to join.

And the thrilled Ewood chief said: “I think Danny’s an outstanding signing.

“He’s a player who has not played as much as he would have probably liked in the last year, or merited given his ability, but he’s an outstanding player and I think everybody will be delighted to have a player of his calibre at our disposal.

“And not just on loan, but a permanent player. He’s a Blackburn Rovers player and an outstanding player who is going to contribute to what we’re trying to do.”

See Monday’s Lancashire Telegraph for a full-length interview with new boy Danny Graham