ACCRINGTON Stanley have signed Okera Simmonds on a free transfer after the youngster was released by Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers brought the 20-year-old in from Liverpool in February 2018, but he found starts hard to come by in the club’s Under-23 side.

Simmonds, who can play anywhere across the front, has 13 Premier League Two appearances to his name this term along with two goals.

And Reds boss John Coleman insists his new signing is one for the future, but would welcome any competition he is able to provide to Stanley’s attacking players.

“I’ve seen him play when he was young, he was at Liverpool as a kid and I’ve seen him there and he came across really well,” said Coleman.

“He went to Blackburn from Liverpool and played against us last year in a friendly.

“He’s definitely one for the future, he’s got good attributes and I think he could prove to be a really good signing for us.

“Without a doubt, we welcome any competition. The competition is quite strong already, we’ve got a lot of forward options.

“If he can he hit the ground running and force his way in to the first team then that’s great.”