SO another player of the year gone, then. Sadly, history tells us that Markus Olsson’s departure will have had a certain inevitability about it for Blackburn Rovers supporters.

Looking at the list of the last 10 winners only two players – Paul Robinson and Jordan Rhodes – have remained at Rovers for longer than two years after picking up the prize.

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Craig Bellamy, Stephen Warnock and Yakubu were gone within months of landing the honour.

David Bentley, Roque Santa Cruz, Tom Cairney and last year’s winner Olsson lasted another season; Steven N’Zonzi two more before making his move.

However the grass is not always greener.

Bentley, Santa Cruz and Yakubu certainly never hit the same heights after leaving Ewood Park while Tom Cairney, who, in fairness, never wanted to go, is part of a Fulham side currently below Rovers in the table.

And Olsson knows he has got his work cut out if he is going to become a Derby County success.

The defender put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year deal with the Rams on Tuesday after completing a transfer which could be worth up to £1m to Rovers.

Derby moved for Olsson after injuries to Craig Forsyth and Max Lowe meant they were left with just one fit left-back.

Ironically that left-back is former Rovers player of the year, Warnock, who has made the position his own after Forsyth was sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

“When you go to a new club, you have to show the head coach or manager that you want to play for the team,” said Olsson.

“Derby are a club who have two quality players for every position but I am up for the challenge of fighting for one of those spots.

“Competition is good for a team who want to be successful.”

Olsson added: “Last season, Derby and Norwich were the best sides that we came up against, so it is a good thing for me personally to be part of a team like that.

“Being part of a promotion challenge is something that every player at this level wants to experience.

“You want to be part of that fight to get to the Premier League and this club has that ambition. Being part of that is something I'm really looking forward to.”