Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Christian Walton from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 23-year-old arrives at Ewood Park on a season-long loan and becomes Rovers' fourth signing of the summer.

After progressing through Plymouth Argyle's youth system, Walton joined Brighton in February 2013 at the age of 17.

He made his senior Seagulls debut in a League Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in October 2014, before starting back-to-back Championship games at home to Wigan Athletic and Rovers a month later.

Following short loan spells with Bury and then Plymouth during the 2015-16 season, the young keeper spent the first half of the 2016-17 campaign on loan at League Two side Luton Town, starting 33 games, before being recalled by Brighton at the end of January.

Walton then ended the season on loan at Southend United in League One, making a further seven starts.

The towering stopper, who stands at 6ft 5in tall, has spent the past two seasons with Wigan Athletic, helping them secure promotion back to the second tier.

He kept 19 clean sheets in 31 league appearances during the 2017-18 season, as the Latics pipped Rovers to the League One title, whilst also keeping a shut-out in the 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Walton returned to the DW Stadium for a second loan spell last season, starting 34 league games and playing a prominent role in Wigan securing their Championship status.

The talented shot-stopper has also earned international honours with England, represented the Three Lions at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level.

The new signing is expected to be part of the Rovers squad that travels to Bury for a pre-season friendly tomorrow night.

Welcome, Walton!