Darragh Lenihan says captaining Rovers was a ‘great honour’ as he confirmed his departure from the club.

Lenihan’s 11-year stay, which included 252 first-team appearances, will come to an end at the end of his contract.

The 28-year-old is set to sign for Championship side Middlesbrough on a long-term deal, as revealed earlier this month.

Lenihan has taken to social media to post a message of thanks to supporters, which follows director of football Gregg Broughton confirming his exit.

Lenihan starred for Rovers in 2021/22, and has been a mainstay of the defence in recent seasons, taking on the role as club captain last summer after the departure of Elliott Bennett.

Writing on social media, Lenihan said: “After 11 years and 252 games for Blackburn Rovers Football Club my time at this club has come to an end.

“I will be forever grateful to this club for giving me the opportunity of fulfilling my dream to become a professional footballer.

"I arrived to this club at 17 years old from Ireland and if it wasn’t for the help of its staff, management and fans I wouldn’t be here today.

"This club will always be special to me, it’s the club that gave me my first start, it gave me friends that I now consider family, where I got married and had my children and above all gave me the great honour of captaining this incredible team.

"A special mention to the fans, you took me in like one of your own. I will never forget the support you’ve shown me at my time at the club and for that I want to say a huge thank you.

"I wish this club every success in the future.”

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