Rovers are delighted to announce that defender Paul Downing has signed a permanent contract with the club for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old, who initially joined on a season-long loan from MK Dons on deadline day, has now put pen-to-paper on a deal which will keep him at Ewood Park until at least the summer of 2019.

Having come through the youth ranks at West Brom, where he first worked under Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, Downing had several loan spells away from The Hawthorns before joining Walsall in August 2012.

The centre back made over 180 appearances for the Saddlers, playing in the Football League Trophy final in March 2015 and the League One play-off semis in May 2016.

Downing joined MK Dons in June 2016 and made 46 appearances for the club before becoming Rovers' 12th signing of the summer.

In a remarkable start to his Rovers career, the defender quickly endeared himself to the Ewood faithful by going over 500 minutes of league football without conceding a goal.

He also scored in the 4-2 victory away to Blackpool in November and in his 18 appearances for the club, he has helped Rovers record 12 victories and six draws.