BLACKBURN Rovers were celebrating 'D-Day' at Ewood today after completing the signings of Damien Duff and David Thompson.
After months of speculation, Duff and Thompson finally put pen to paper on new four year contracts last night after a summer of careful negotiating by Graeme Souness and the Rovers board.
And Ciccio Grabbi then capped a brilliant night for the club by snatching a dramatic late equaliser as Rovers picked up a point following a thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
"It was a great night for us because we not only completed the two contracts but we also got a point against one of the best sides in the country," said chief executive John Williams.
"This is a very significant announcement and we are delighted on both counts.
"Damien made it clear that he wanted to stay and both parties are delighted with the outcome of the negotiations.
"And David is a player Graeme Souness identified some time ago and we are very pleased to have brought him on board ahead of Saturday's deadline."
Duff finally resolved all doubts about his future by agreeing to sign one of the most lucrative contracts in Rovers' history - and to make it a double-whammy Thompson then followed suit by a rubber-stamping his move from Coventry City in time to beat Saturday's transfer deadline.
Rovers will pay the Sky Blues an initial £1.5 million up front but that could eventually rise to £2.5 million, subject to appearances, the amount of goals Thompson scores and Rovers final position in the Premiership table.
"I'm just glad to get it all out of the way," said Duff. "I've always been happy at Blackburn but this has been hanging over me for a while and it's a relief to finally get things sorted.
"So it's done and dusted now and I just want to concentrate on doing my best for the club.
"Last night's result was a great one for us and hopefully we can build on that from here."
Meanwhile, Souness was happy with last night's performance as Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
"It was a wonderful night for us -- I thought we played very well from the start to finish," said Souness.
"Okay, Liverpool had their moments because they are a very good team.
"But we rattled their cage, we had them on the back foot for long periods, and it would have been very unfortunate on us if we hadn't taken something out of that game.
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