Elliott Bennett believes he has plenty to offer both on and off the pitch after signing for Shrewsbury Town.

Bennett has penned a one-year deal with the League One club as his five-and-a-half year stay with Rovers came to an end.

Tony Mowbray had wanted to keep the 32-year-old around, but after making just nine appearances last season, his role would likely have been a bit-part one again.

Bennett has instead opted to sign for Salop where he will be first aiming to become a regular in the side, with a longer-term ambition of helping the club out of League One as he did at Rovers in 2017/18.

“I am still confident in my own ability, I am still confident in what I bring to any football club,” Bennett said.

“I just want to enjoy however many years I have got left in the game because I love playing this game and want to keep playing as long as I possibly can.

“I have had an absolutely amazing time at Blackburn.

“I have had an amazing five-and-a-half years there, which is the longest I have been at a football club since when I was younger at Wolves.

“I have got a lot of really good memories, but in football and life things change, life moves on and football moves on.

“I didn’t play as much as I wanted to and I didn’t get to say goodbye to the people that matter at the football clubs which are the fans.”

Bennett penned an emotional farewell to Rovers upon signing for Shrewsbury having been at Ewood Park since January 2016, his longest spell at a club during his senior career.

Steve Cotterill had been keen on signing Bennett on loan in the January window, an enquiry Rovers rebuffed, but they maintained their interest into the summer and have now brought him in as a free agent.

Bennett will be playing his football in his home county and says it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down, working again with Steve Cotterill and former team-mate Aaron Wilbraham.

“As soon as my agent mentioned Shrewsbury Town’s interest, I was really keen to speak to the manager,” Bennett told the club website

“I am delighted to sign and I am hoping that I can bring something to the team on the pitch.

“I would like to think I will be able to pass on my experience and help the team, I have been around and played a few games. I am really excited to play for this football club and I will look to help wherever I can.

“I will give absolutely everything to the football club. I want to make the fans smile. The fans come to the stadium to be entertained. Hopefully I can excite the fans and give them something to smile about.”

Cotterill had a big impact when brought into the League One club in December, bringing in Harry Chapman from Rovers, the winger scoring seven times during a half season spell.

Shrewsbury would be keen on a permanent move for Chapman who looks set to follow Bennett out of the Ewood Park exit door, but for now Cotterill is happy to welcome Bennett into the fold.

He said: “I’ve know Elliott for a long time, I know what I am getting with him.

“He crosses the ball really well and he’s an excellent professional. He will be able to educate our younger players in the dressing room.

“I am hoping he can come in and be a good influence in and around the team.

“His best position is out on the wide. He can play wide-right or as a wing-back.”