DOMINIC Samuel says he was eager to get a deal done to join Blackburn Rovers as soon as he was made aware of their interest.

Samuel’s long-awaited arrival at Ewood Park was made official yesterday as the 23-year-old arrived from Reading for a fee understood to be in the region of £500,000.

Tony Mowbray has been chasing the striker for sometime as he looked to add another dimension to his forward line, and competition to last season’s top scorer Danny Graham.

And Samuel is now eager to get going as he’s set to meet up with his new team-mates for the first time today.

“The fact that it is Blackburn Rovers as well, such a big club, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“As soon as I knew Blackburn were interested I was restless at home.

“I just wanted to get the deal done and get going with such a great club.”

Rovers saw off competition from Championship pair Barnsley, and Ipswich, where Samuel finished last season on loan, to land the striker who netted seven times during a spell on loan at Gillingham in 2015/16.

He leaves Reading having made just six starts for the club, scoring twice, the last of which came in a 3-2 win at Ewood Park in December.

Samuel has previously worked with Rovers boss Mowbray during their time together at Coventry at the end of the 2014/15 season.

And he admits the lure of working with Mowbray again was key to his decision.

He added: “He was a really big factor. I played my best football under him, so it was a no brainer to come here.

“I worked with the gaffer a few years ago and I bonded with him really well, so I thought it was the right move for me.

And the striker is now looking to help play a big part as Rovers look to get back to the Championship at the first attempt.

“I’m glad it is all settled and I’m happy to be a Rovers player,” Samuel told the club’s official website.

“It is a big club. It is a club that shouldn’t be in League One and hopefully after this year we can bounce back straight into the Championship.”

In signing, Samuel became the club’s fifth summer addition, following midfield quartet Peter Whittingham, Richie Smallwood, Bradley Dack and Ben Gladwin through the Ewood arrivals door.

That could become six in the coming days, with full-back Paul Caddis set to sign a permanent deal after a successful three week trial.

Rovers are also eyeing a loan move for Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi, though they face competition from Championship pair Bolton and Millwall for the 19-year-old who spent time at Charlton last season.