Sammie Szmodics’ professionalism has been praised by Peterborough United boss Grant McCann after confirmation of his move to Rovers.

Szmodics joined Rovers from the League One side for an undisclosed fee on a deal through to 2025, with a year option.

Rovers had pushed to sign the attacker earlier in the window, but it wasn’t until Sunday that the two clubs eventually reached an agreement that allowed Szmodics to travel north to seal the move.

While the 26-year-old had been keen to make the switch following Posh’s relegation to League One, he continued to feature for them in pre-season and in their opening day game with Cheltenham.

That earned him praise from Posh boss McCann, and chairman Darragh MacAnthony who described him as a club ‘legend’.

“This transfer has been rumbling on for a while now. I was told about Blackburn’s interest while we were in Portugal and Sammie came to see me and made it clear he wanted to make the move,” McCann told the Peterborough Telegraph.

"I just told him to keep his head down and keep playing and the transfer would look after itself as soon as the clubs agreed a fee. And to be fair to Sammie he did just that.

“I spoke to him before the Hull friendly and he wanted to keep playing and he gave everything for the team on Saturday at Cheltenham.

"Some players can be difficult if there is a big move with life-changing money involved, but Sammie wasn’t like that at all.

"I’m disappointed to lose such a good player obviously, but we wish him well. He’s back at the level he deserves to be.”

Szmodics trained with his Rovers’ team-mates for the first time on Tuesday and has been handed the No.8 shirt.

 

 

He will hope to make his debut when Rovers travel to Swansea City this weekend.

Rovers see Szmodics as a player who will add goals and athleticism to their attack, having netted seven times for Posh in the Championship last season.

Rovers’ Director of Football, Gregg Broughton, said: “We identified that we needed to add both athleticism and another goal threat to the squad, and Sammie gives us both of these qualities.

“When he was played centrally for the final 10 Championship games of last season, we saw Sammie recreate his form from League One, with four goals and an assist, along with both the creative and physical metrics of an attacking midfielder who will add a different dimension to our group.

“As importantly, we know what Sammie will bring as a character and how easily he will fit into the great team spirit and mentality of our players.”

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