[themaclad]

Blackburn Rovers have signed goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt from Norwegian side Odds Ballklubb for an undisclosed fee, as a replacement for Thomas Kaminski.

Kaminski moved to Premier League side Luton last week, and Wahlstedt has been brought in on a three-year deal.

The 24-year-old is a Sweden international with 126 senior games to his name, having previously played for Dalkurd and Arendal.

"We monitored his progress," director of football Gregg Broughton said.

Broughton told the club website: "In addition to his excellent shot-stopping, Leo's ability to play out from the back is at a very high level.

"Succession planning is a straightforward exercise in theory, but in real life is reliant upon timing factors that are often out of your control.

"We are grateful that, following Thomas Kaminski's departure, we were able to put our plan into place and sign a goalkeeper with such high potential."

Wahlstedt had eight clean sheets in 20 games this season, conceding just 25 goals.

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Blackburn have signed Bournemouth's England Under-21 international defender James Hill on a season-long loan.

The Fleetwood youth product, 21, made his Premier League debut for the Cherries against West Ham this season.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hearts, playing 17 times.

Rovers football director Gregg Broughton said: "James has all the attributes we look for - a strong one-v-one defender, aerially dominant and comfortable in possession.

"We have worked hard to secure James' services ahead of many other Championship clubs and as a Lancastrian, we know he will find the transition to Blackburn Rovers straightforward."

Bournemouth paid £1.6m for Hill to sign him from Fleetwood in January 2022.

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Championship side Blackburn Rovers have signed German striker Semir Telalovic from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 23-year-old joins on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, with the option to extend his stay at Ewood Park for another 12 months beyond June 2026.

"Semir still has huge potential to develop," Rovers' director of football Gregg Broughton told the club website.

"He will bring great pace, finishing ability and directness to our forward options."

Telalovic joined Bundesliga club Monchengladbach in January 2022, scoring 22 goals in 49 games for their under-23 side before being promoted to the club's senior squad and making three substitute appearances in the German top flight earlier this year.

[themaclad]

Blackburn Rovers forward Sammie Szmodics has extended his deal until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 28-year-old joined Rovers from Peterborough for an undisclosed fee in August 2022 and is the Championship's top scorer this campaign with 11 goals.

"As a leader and a personality within our group, his impact this season has been first class," director of football Gregg Broughton told the club website.

"We look forward to watching his continued development."

The three-year contract Szmodics signed when he joined Blackburn was due to expire in the summer of 2025.

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Blackburn defender Harry Pickering has signed a new deal aimed at keeping him at Ewood Park until 2027.

The 24-year-old left-back still had 18 months remaining on his current contract but Rovers have moved to tie down a player who is a regular choice under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

The fresh deal also has an option for an extra 12 months.

Pickering could make his 100th appearance for the club against Leeds this weekend.

The deal is the second extension announced by Rovers in a fortnight after they also secured Championship leading goalscorer Sammie Szmodics on a long-term contract.

"Harry has played over 250 senior games, almost 100 of which are for Blackburn Rovers, by the age of 24," Rovers director of football Gregg Broughton told the club website.

"His tactical flexibility has made him a vital part of our team and he has shown a continued desire to improve on a daily basis."

Pickering joined Blackburn in January 2021 from Crewe and has started 16 of Rovers' 19 Championship games this season.

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Iceland forward Arnor Sigurdsson has signed a permanent deal with Blackburn Rovers until the end of 2025.

The 24-year-old was signed on an initial 12-month deal in June from Russian club CSKA Moscow.

Sigurdsson, who has also had stints at Venezia, hometown club Akranes and IFK, has scored five goals in 16 games since his arrival at Ewood Park.

"We are really happy to make Arnor a permanent signing," Rovers' director of football Gregg Broughton said.

"Arnor has displayed the technical quality that is central to his performance and he is now a vital part of our squad."

His initial deal at Blackburn came about through Fifa's rules on suspension of contracts for those players affected by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and this move now means the player's full registration is with the Championship club.

[themaclad]

Blackburn Rovers have signed Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari and Aston Villa defender Ben Chrisene on loan.

Sweden international Ayari, 20, played 13 Championship games for Coventry on loan this season, while Chrisene, 19, was on loan at Kilmarnock last season.

Ayari is 12 months into a four-and-a-half-year deal with Brighton.

"Yasin has good technical and physical attributes along with a great character," Rovers' director of football Gregg Broughton.

Broughton added that Chrisene would "bring additional pace and physicality to the backline, and is very comfortable in possession".

Ipswich Town have signed Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis on loan for the rest of the Championship season.

The 26-year-old midfielder has made 200 league appearances for Rovers, scoring six goals.

He is second-placed Ipswich's second signing of the January transfer window, having already agreed a loan deal for Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento.

"To be a part of a team like this is something I'm very excited about," Travis told the Ipswich website.

"When I knew Ipswich were calling I jumped at the chance, given the league position and the unbelievable start to the season the team has had.

"I have had good, honest conversations with the manager and I think the style of play will suit me. I am aggressive both with and without the ball, which I think is what he liked, so it's about me getting in there and impressing."

Travis has played 22 games this term for Blackburn, including a 4-3 defeat at Ipswich in September.

He moves to Portman Road with the Tractor Boys 10 points adrift of Championship leaders Leicester, but three clear of third-placed Southampton.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said Travis wanted to leave last summer, adding that a move was now possible with Sondre Tronstad playing well in his position.

Tomasson added: "He's one of the more expensive boys in our group, so [the move] will free some space up in the financial department to get some players in as well."

[themaclad]

Blackburn Rovers have signed Crewe Alexandra defender Connor O'Riordan for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old has played 27 times for League Two Crewe this season and has made more than 50 appearances in total.

The Irishman has signed a four-and-a-half year deal until June 2028.

"Connor will bring an aerial presence in both boxes, calmness in possession and desire to do the ugly things needed to be a first-class defender," director of football, Gregg Broughton, said.

It is understood Championship side Blackburn met the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international's buyout clause to take him to Ewood Park.

He is Crewe's first big-money departure since fellow defender Harry Pickering also left for Blackburn in the 2021 January transfer window.

[themaclad]

Blackburn Rovers have signed defender Kyle McFadzean from fellow Championship side Coventry City on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old joined Coventry in 2019 and made 171 appearances for the club in all competitions.

McFadzean helped the Sky Blues win promotion to the Championship and reach the 2023 Championship play-off final.

Prior to joining Coventry, McFadzean had spells with Crawley Town, MK Dons as well as Burton Albion.

Having been at the core of Mark Robins' side last season as the Sky Blues challenged for promotion, the veteran defender has found opportunities limited this term.

He has made just 15 appearances for Coventry in 2023-24, with his most recent run out coming in their 3-2 defeat at Preston on 4 November.

[themaclad]

Goalkeeper Leo Wahlstedt has departed Blackburn Rovers to join Danish Superliga club AGF for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old signed for Rovers from Norwegian side Odds Ballklubb in August 2023 on a three-year deal to replace former goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Sweden international Wahlstedt kept four clean sheets in his 25 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Blackburn ended last season in 19th place in the Championship while AGF finished fifth in the Danish Superliga.