Rovers goalkeeper Joe Hilton has signed a new deal before being allowed to join Scottish Premiership side Ross County on loan.

Hilton is now contracted at Ewood Park until the summer of 2022 and will spend the remainder of the season north of the border.

The 21-year-old joined Rovers in the summer of 2019 from Everton and was a regular between the sticks for the Under-23s last season, playing 24 times in Premier League 2.

Injury struck in February, ruling Hilton out of action in the pre-season friendlies and it wasn’t until last month’s game at Derby County where he returned to the squad.

Hilton was then signed by Fleetwood Town on a seven-day emergency loan, making his debut in the Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Hull City and also played twice in League One against MK Dons and Portsmouth.

Since returning to Rovers, Hilton has received interest from several clubs, but Ross County, 10th in the Scottish Premiership have won the race for his signature.

He will hope to be involved in tonight's home game with Motherwell, with just one point separating the two sides.

Hilton is one of a crop of young goalkeepers behind No.1 Thomas Kaminski. Aynsley Pears and Antonis Stergiakis were signed permanently in the summer, while Jordan Eastham signed his first professional deal.

Hilton is the other, with Rovers having allowed Andy Fisher to leave on deadline day in October, the 22-year-old this week signing an extended deal at MK Dons having established himself as first-choice with the League One club.

Staggies boss John Hughes told the club website: "Joe is a good, young goalkeeper. He is a big boy at 6ft 6in and has all the attributes to be successful in the game.

"He needs to use this spell to come in and compete with Ross Laidlaw, try and push each other on and make the next step in his development.

"When you look at the clubs he has been at and the coaches he has worked with, he has the foundations to build on, but he has to keep pushing himself every day.

"Coming to Ross County he will know in his mind what he wants to achieve, the ball is in his court, we will work him hard and try to make sure that he continues to develop."