Rovers have signed Irish prospect Brad Lyons and the midfielder insists he will ‘give everything for the badge’ after joining from Coleraine.

Lyons’ move from the Irish Premiership leaders was granted approval yesterday with Rovers having worked to tie up the deal before last Friday’s 5pm loan deadline.

The 21-year-old has signed initially on loan, with the deal set to become permanent in January.

The midfielder spent time on trial with Rovers Under-23s in the summer and, after scoring twice in his first three matches for Coleraine, this season, they made their move to bring him back to Ewood Park.

“To the fans, I’d say that I’m going to give everything for the badge,” Lyons said after his move was announced.

“This club has given me an opportunity, so I’ll try to repay Rovers as much as I can.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here. I watched Rovers when I was younger; it’s a great club with a great history and I can’t wait to get started.”

Lyons played in Rovers Under-23s friendly with

Kendal Town and spent time training with Damien Johnson’s side. A move didn’t materialise then but after a strong start to the season for Coleraine, Rovers revisited the deal.

“I knew the club were watching me towards the end of last season but didn’t think anything was coming of it,” Lyons told Rovers’ website.

“I got a call about a trial in the summer and then the clubs started talking from there.

“Rovers are such a family club, I was so well looked after in the summer, everything was there for me and everyone was so nice.

“The players and staff were great with me, and the facilities are fantastic. I can’t wait to get my head down now and start training with the lads.

“There was a little bit of shock when I told my family and friends because I’ll be moving away from home, but they’re all delighted for me, they know I’ve worked hard.

“This is a dream come true, but the hard work starts now.”

Lyons is expected to initially be with the Under-23s before trying to break in to Tony Mowbray’s first-team squad.

On what he can offer the team, Lyons, who has more than a century of senior appearances and 17 goals to his name, added: “I’m a central midfielder, a bit of an all-rounder really.

“I don’t mind defending and like getting stuck in, but I also like attacking and scoring goals.

“I like to think of myself as a box-to-box player. I’ve scored two goals in my last three games and that’s something I want to get into my game more and more.

“I’m only 21 but I’ve played over 120 games, and about 80 to 100 of those were starts. I’ve got experience behind me of playing senior football and hopefully that will stand me in good stead.

“I’ve played four games in the Europa League against tough opposition, so I’ve got the experience and want to kick on now.”

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney said Lyons, who is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year deal in January, goes with the club’s best wishes.

“Since Brad arrived at the club, his progression and development has been phenomenal,” he told his club’s website.

“We take a lot of pride in how he has gone about his business and his development from a boy into a man.

“It is a chance for Brad to live his dream and he goes with our best wishes. I’m sure we will all be secondary Blackburn fans and we will be watching his progress with great hope.

“We are over the moon and delighted for Brad to be given this opportunity.”