FORMER Blackburn Rovers midfielder Hope Akpan has signed for Championship side Burton Albion on a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old was released by Rovers at the end of last season and has now joined Nigel Clough's men.

Akpan spent two seasons at Ewood Park, making 60 appearances and scoring four goals, and said he was looking forward to the new campaign with the Brewers.

“I am buzzing to get it over the line, I knew about the club's interest a while ago," he said.

"I'm looking forward to get going in pre-season and make sure I am ready for the start of the season.

"The fans can expect me to be energetic in midfield, I like to tackle and hopefully I can also score a few goals."

Burton boss Clough added of the former Everton and Crawley man: “We’ve watched him for several seasons even when he was at Crawley and we were at Derby, he’s a good addition to the squad.

"He will give us something different in midfield, it says a lot about him to go from a Premier League academy to a League Two side shows something about his character. He’s played in all four divisions and gained a promotion with Crawley.

"I think last season it didn’t work out for him and he’s eager to get his career back on track.”