Tony Mowbray believes Tosin Adarabioyo will be worth the wait as Rovers finally secured the long-awaited signature of the Manchester City defender.

The club have been working on a season-long loan deal for the 21-year-old which after weeks of negotiations was finally announced on Wednesday morning.

Adarabioyo spent last season with West Bromwich Albion and is the first defender through the Ewood Park arrivals door this summer.

Mowbray could still look to further strengthen his defensive ranks before the August 8 window but Rovers look well set heading in to the new campaign.

Rovers had always remained confident they would get the deal over the line, with interest having emer.

And Mowbray said: “We’ve been working on this deal for a good few weeks now and we’re delighted he’s here.

“He’s still a young boy, but the positive for me is that it’s his second season-long loan having spent the last campaign at West Bromwich Albion.

“I think he grew into their season and we’ll hopefully get the benefit of a confident and assured young guy who has amazing physical attributes.

“He’s 6’5, he’s fast, mobile and good on the ball, just as you’d expect coming from a club like Manchester City.”

Adarabioyo played 29 times as the Baggies missed out on promotion back to the Premier League in the play-offs.

He was largely used as a right back at The Hawthorns, but Mowbray sees him performing in his more natural central defensive role for Rovers.

Adarabioyo has two years left to run on his contract at the Etihad and although yet to feature in the Premier League, has eight appearances for his parent club.

And he’ll be tasked with trying to help Rovers improve on a defensive record which saw them ship 69 goals last season.

“He’s played in the Champions League for them and we’re hoping that he’ll bring his talents here to help us win games,” Mowbray said.

“He’s a giant and he’s coming up to 22 now. That ball needs to be a magnet to his head, but he doesn’t see himself as someone who just heads the ball; he’s a footballer.

“But he has good feet and that power, that ability to cover the ground and take the ball off the opposition.”

Mowbray is often reluctant to throw his signings straight in, and the former England youth international may have to bide his time to break in.

The Rovers boss added: “It might take him a little while, a couple of weeks to get to grips with the team, but then he’ll be looking to force his way into the side.”