MIDFIELDER Alan Mahon today became Rovers' third summer signing when he completed a permanent move to Ewood Park.

The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell from Sporting Lisbon last season as he helped Rovers clinch promotion.

And having agreed a fee of £1.5 million with the Portuguese club, Graeme Souness has confirmed the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international as part of his Premiership plans.

"Alan was player we had admired from afar for a while and he made a big impact during his temporary stay.

"We are delighted to have now added him to the squad full-time," said Souness, who has now added Mahon, Italian striker Corrado Grabbi and young Scottish defender Gordon Greer to the set of players that clinched promotion last term.

Mahon made an instant impression following his arrival last December and despite a spell out injured became a key player in the promotion picture.

And the left-sided midfielder was delighted to seal his permanent return to English football with Rovers.

He said: "My loan spell here was a very enjoyable and a successful time and when the opportunity to sign full-time came along there was no hesitiation."

Mahon admitted that things couldn't have worked out better for him last season after his move from Merseyside to Lisbon never really took off.

And he is relishing a crack at the Premiership after putting pen to paper on a long-term contract.

He added: "I've loved every minute of my time here. I never expected to play so many games as I did but the manager kept faith with me and it couldn't have worked out any better.

"I've never played in the Premiership. Every player strives to play at the top level and you don't get any bigger than the Premiership.

"There's a lot more passion about the game at Blackburn than at Sporting, there's a great will to win here and that's what I like best."