Rovers was my preference - McLoughlinpublished at 10:08
10:08
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McLoughlin on joining Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers' new signing Sean McLoughlin says the club was his number one choice after joining from Hull City on Friday.
The defender initially drew Rovers' interest last season but ended up staying with the Tigers, who he signed for in 2019 from his hometown side Cork City.
"There was one or two that were interested but my agent phoned me and said that Blackburn Rovers were interested again and I told them out of all of the clubs, that would be my preference to go to," McLoughlin told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"There was a bit of interest last summer but for some reason or another it never happened. It was nice, better late than never."
The 28-year-old is particularly looking forward to playing at Ewood Park.
"I've been here plenty of times playing here, it's never a nice experience as an away player, but hopefully I'll get to play here as a home player," McLoughlin added.
"I've got my work cut out, got to earn the jersey and put in the performances in training to show that I deserve to play."
It's never quiet at Ewood Parkpublished at 13:41 21 July
13:41 21 July
Lindsey Lewis Fan writer
Image source, Rex Features
"I'm going to have a quiet summer..."
The famous last words I uttered whilst wiping away tears as yet another play-off dream came to an end at Bramall Lane back in May. But I've been a Rovers fan long enough to know there isn't such a thing as a quiet day, never mind a quiet summer.
Within days of the season ending came the decision from the club to withdraw the women's team from the Championship and relegate themselves to National League Division One North (tier four).
Then came the announcement in a 35-word statement that CEO of seven years, Steve Waggott, had left the club. It's a position that remains vacant.
We've had leaked kits (the green third kit is a thing of beauty!) season ticket price debates and rumours aplenty about who is leaving and who is coming through the door.
Of the XI which started the last game of the season, Danny Batth has been reunited with our old gaffer at Derby and Tyrhys Dolan is now a free agent as he continues the hunt for his big move.
Confirmed incomings of De Neve, Taveres, Alebiosu and McLoughlin offer reassurance business is being done early for a change and some funds are available. However we definitely need more, a stance on which Valerien Ismael seems to agree.
With Andi Weimann also making a move to the Rams, his nine goals last season will be missed.
Tying down our key players is something we have historically failed to do and remains at the forefront of many of our minds. With rumours swirling of Callum Brittain going to Middlesbrough, the club must decide whether to cash in if a new deal is not accepted or allow players to run their contracts down.
On the pitch, wins against Accrington Stanley and Everton (see photo) in our first two pre-season friendlies have offered us a chance to see the new lads in action. We have also seen the return of Scott Wharton, a fan favourite, after an extensive lay-off.
The squad - and many Rovers fans - are now in Spain for some warm weather training. For the boys, it is friendlies against Qatar SC and Elche. For the fans, it is a chance for some sun, sea, and shenanigans. So much for that quiet summer.
'Brittain can go but only for right price' - Ismaelpublished at 09:39 21 July
09:39 21 July
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Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael says defender Callum Brittain will be allowed to run out his contract if the club do not receive an offer for him that meets their valuation.
The 27-year-old's deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 season and while Rovers are hoping to extend his stay, he could end up leaving for free.
Brittain has rejected the offer of a new Rovers contract amid reported interest from other clubs.
"If he has to leave, he will leave, but he will only leave if the price is right for the club," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"We are happy with Callum and if we have to go until the end of the season and risk that Callum goes for free, we'll do it. We are clear within the club.
"We made a strong offer to extend his contract and, at some point, maybe the thing can change."
Brittain had refused to play in Rovers' friendly against Accrington Stanley but did make an appearance during their 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
Brittain's contract situation is nothing newpublished at 17:46 15 July
17:46 15 July
Andy Bayes BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
Callum Brittain's contract situation at Blackburn Rovers has taken a number of twists and turns since the final match of last season at Sheffield United.
Links with moves away have been followed by reports of positive talks about a new deal. But, following my conversation with Valerien Ismael on Saturday, it's pretty clear that he, right-back Brittain, sees his future somewhere else.
"Callum decided not to play today, on his own," the Frenchman said.
"I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.
"Let's see what happens in the next few days, but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."
Ismael could have kept his cards close to his chest, but his communication couldn't have been clearer as to what was happening. He wants a resolution as soon as possible.
This situation isn't anything new. Blackburn Rovers have form for key players running down their deals and walking away for nothing. Tyrhys Dolan is currently a free agent after severing ties with the club this summer. Compensation will be the fee for him if he stays on these shores.
Dom Hyam, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad – three key players are going into their final season under contract and simply can't be allowed to do the same as Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan have since 2022.
The question is… could Blackburn be more proactive when a player has 18 months to two years remaining? They probably could. But the player holds the cards with a year to go.
Callum Brittain will be 28 by the end of next season; can anyone begrudge him the opportunity of a bumper contract for his peak years?
Ruling himself out of last weekend's friendly at Accrington hasn't gone down particularly well with some supporters who believe that while he's on the payroll, he should be available.
But surely every supporter would prefer a fully committed player to be selected, and an asset who wants away should be protected from injury while the clubs thrash out a fee.
'We are going to lose one of the best full-backs'published at 14:55 15 July
14:55 15 July
Image source, Getty Images
Former Blackburn Rovers winger Kevin Gallacher has praised Rovers boss Valerien Ismael for his honesty regarding the future of defender Callum Brittain.
Ismael confirmed that Brittain has not signed a new contract and is being courted by other clubs after the 27-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
"[Ismael] is telling everyone what it's all about. There's a contract there; it's not been signed, it's possibly been rejected," Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"He doesn't want to play in the [pre-season friendly], it tells me he wants to move away from the football club and the manager being honest has said, 'fair play then you're not playing, get yourself a club'.
"It looks like Callum Brittain could be moving somewhere else now."
Finances may also influence Blackburn's decision to sell Brittain.
"Unfortunately today's Blackburn need money, we need the money from the players," Gallacher added.
"If we can extract a club to come in and pay what we are asking then unfortunately we are going to lose probably, for me, one of the best full-backs in the league, but we have to move on."
Kristi Montgomery says he wants to be around the Blackburn Rovers first team this season and fight for a place in Valerien Ismael's plans.
The 21-year-old, who has played in defence and midfield, made his Rovers debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April when Ismael recalled him from a loan spell with National League North side Chorley, following a loan at Marine in the first half of the campaign.
He went on to start the 1-0 win over Luton, only to be sent-off just before the hour, and after serving a one-match ban came off the bench as Rovers won by the same scoreline at Sunderland later in the month.
"Football changes quickly. Anything can happen. You've just got to take your opportunity when it comes," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"This time last year I was probably thinking about going on loan to Marine, so it's a big contrast from last season but you've just got to be ready.
"I want to strive for the first team here at Blackburn. Obviously the gaffer is putting some trust in me and I just want to repay that and do my best on the field."
Montgomery says he relishes the competition for places in pre-season, adding: "Everyone is fighting for a position. That's the healthy competition there is at the club.
"There are a lot of good players and it's going to be tough but you've just got to back yourself."
Brittain refuses new Blackburn contract offerpublished at 13:16 14 July
13:16 14 July
Media caption,
'Brittain didn't accept our offer'- Blackburn boss Ismael
Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael has confirmed that defender Callum Brittain has rejected the club's offer of a new contract.
Brittain has one year left on his current contract but has been linked with a move away from the club despite Ismael being keen on keeping the 27-year-old.
"He didn't accept our offer," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"If [the club] want Callum, they have to come back with a better offer. It's not what I want to do to see him leaving, he's a very important player."
The defender refused to take part in Rovers' friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, with Ismael confirming after the match that the side are receiving particular interest from another club for his signature.
"Callum decided not to play today on his own," the Frenchman said.
"I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.
"Let's see what happens in the next few days but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."
Rankin-Costello takes on a new challengepublished at 11:02 14 July
11:02 14 July
Andy Bayes BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
Joe Rankin-Costello will have been a dream for the past four bosses to have sat in the Blackburn Rovers hot seat.
An injury or suspension in a number of positions, and he'd be asked to fill it.
If I had a pound for how many times in the last 25 years that a player would tell me, "I'll play wherever the manager wants me to play," I'd be a very wealthy man. It's the stock answer, really, for any player to give; only occasionally will someone with a strong personality tell you how they really feel.
It's only natural that at 25 years of age the lure of a new challenge has led him to join Charlton Athletic, and where he plays for them will interest a lot of people who follow Rovers.
An academy graduate, Rankin-Costello can play central midfield, as a number ten, or wide in a front three on either side – not to mention at right-back where he undoubtedly produced his best form under Jon Dahl Tomasson.
He started the 2023-24 season as first choice at right-back after a sparkling second half to the previous campaign. And, although squad numbers barely resemble playing positions these days, a player wearing 11 at right-back tells you all you need to know.
Standout displays at Huddersfield Town and QPR showed him at his very best - comfortable in possession, spending 70% of the match in the opposition half rather than as an orthodox right-back - it was the position for him in a Tomasson system that brought the best out of him.
Yes, there were injuries that hampered his progress, and the emergence of Callum Brittain as one of the championship's best right-backs has meant that he's really only been a deputy under John Eustace and Valerien Ismael. He started last season wide on the right after finishing the previous campaign as a holding midfielder.
But when does versatility cost a player? It does when he isn't first choice in any position. Then when a chance comes due to the absence of someone else, a high-level performance is expected.
Given his age, he should have more than 132 senior appearances across all competitions. His talent should dictate that. He'll not have too many issues settling in with Thomas Kaminski and Amari'i Bell (new arrivals at The Valley), both being former Rovers team-mates.
On paper, the deal looks a good one for all parties. Rovers get cash for someone surplus to requirements; Charlton get a player with well over 100 championship appearances; and the player himself will get a change of scenery and a brand new challenge to kick-start a career that badly needs it.
Gossip: Rovers eye teenage hot-shotpublished at 10:21 8 July
10:21 8 July
Blackburn have joined Premier League pair Wolves and Burnley in the race for 18-year-old English striker Devine Samuel, who has turned down a new contract at Leyton Orient. (Birmingham World, external)
Gossip: Blackburn in battle to sign Kapuadipublished at 11:19 18 June
11:19 18 June
Blackburn Rovers have identified Polish side Legia Warsaw's centre-back Steve Kapuadi as a transfer target but face competition from Wolves and German Bundesliga club Union Berlin for the 27-year-old DR Congo international. (Goal Poland - in Polish), external
