Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of German international Lewis Holtby.

A free agent, Holtby has signed a two-year deal at Ewood Park, having left Hamburg at the end of last season.

The versatile and creative midfielder, who turned 29 yesterday, started his career with Alemannia Aachen, making his first team debut at the age of 17, before joining Bundesliga side Schalke in July 2008.

Following loan spells with Bochum and Mainz, who he helped finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League in 2010-11, Holtby cemented his place in the Schalke side over the next 18 months, playing Champions League football in 2012-13, before making a £1.5m move to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2013.

Holtby made 42 appearances for Spurs and had loan spells at Fulham and Hamburg, who he joined on a permanent deal, for a reported £4.5m fee, in July 2015.

Over the past four seasons, Holtby has made over 100 league appearances for HSV, scoring 14 goals, including the latest in Bundesliga history – a 100th minute strike in a 4-1 win against FC Koln in August 2017.

After the expiration of his contract, Holtby has taken time to weigh up his options, which included offers from all over the world, before electing to return to England, with Rovers his desired destination.

Holtby put pen-to-paper earlier today and joins the club subject to international clearance.

Willkommen, Lewis!