BLACKBURN Rovers boss Owen Coyle believes the signings of Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes are a statement of intent.

Coyle fought off competition from a host of clubs to complete the captures of the experienced forwards.

And he reckons their arrival on free transfers sends out an important message to the rest of the Championship – and to Rovers fans.

Graham penned a permanent two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months after proving a big hit on loan at Ewood Park last season.

And Coyle said: “It’s huge for me, it’s huge for the club.

“Danny was a target from the first day we came into the football club. He’d been here on loan last year and did very well. Everybody was enamoured with him and took to him.

“And I think it was really important that we sent a message out that we can bring quality players and match-winners to the football club, on the back of Anthony Stokes, because it shows what we’re trying to do within our own circumstances and environment.

“I’ve said since the first day we’d leave no stone unturned in trying to bring in players who would make the fans excited about the team because that’s what we all want – and Danny is certainly one of those players.”

Graham became Rovers’ third signing of the summer following the arrival of fellow forward Stokes and left-back Stephen Hendrie on a season-long loan from West Ham United.

And Coyle said: “It is an important message for the fans as well as it shows we’re trying to bring in players who they can identify with and have identified with.

“Last season Danny scored goals, worked hard and wore that jersey with real pride – and that’s what I want from the whole group.

“I think Danny could set the tone for that because he’ll be hugely influential on the park and he’ll be hugely influential in the dressing room as well.

“We’ve got to have those type of characters – and Anthony Stokes is like that too. He’s a got a wee edge to him.

“We’re showing as a club we’re moving in the right direction.”

Coyle is still searching for further reinforcements up front after allowing Chris Brown, Simeon Jackson and Nathan Delfouneso to leave at the end of their contracts.

But his next signings will be out-of-contract Bolton Wanderers winger Liam Feeney on a free transfer and young Manchester City midfielder Jack Byrne on a season-long loan.

Rovers duo Shane Duffy and Corry Evans, meanwhile, will be in Euro 2016 round of 16 action this weekend.

Evans and Northern Ireland take on Wales in a big battle of Britain at the Parc des Princes in Paris today (5pm) before Duffy and Republic of Ireland face hosts France in a mouthwatering match at the Stade de Lyon in Lyon tomorrow (2pm).

And Coyle, a former Republic of Ireland international, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant to see them doing well.

“I sent Shane a message on Wednesday night (after the win over Italy) because he played very well – and Corry has worked his socks off in the last couple of games.

“I’m absolutely delighted for both of them and to go into a tournament of that magnitude and progress is brilliant because, let’s be honest, everybody looked at their groups and thought the two of them wouldn’t get through.

“All we hope is that they keep healthy and go and enjoy their tournament.”

The rest of the Rovers squad return to pre-season training on Monday.