Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is delighted with his deal for St Etienne prospect Amine Linganzi.

The midfielder arrives in Lancashire on a free transfer from the Ligue 1 club and has signed a three-and-a-half year contract to the summer of 2013.

Speaking to rovers.co.uk about the new addition, Allardyce said: "He's a central midfield player who impressed us on a trial over Christmas and played against the first team in a few practice games on Ewood Park when the weather was bad.

"We were impressed enough to see the raw ability that we think he's got. We were impressed with his athleticism, he can get about the field and he showed some good ability.

"You talk about a modern day midfield player who can get up and down the pitch, he's over six foot and it looks like he'll grow in strength and stature."

After adding another promising young player to the squad, Allardyce clearly sees a future for the crop of good young players coming through.

"Hopefully he'll develop as Steven Nzonzi has done, as Martin Olsson has done, as Niko (Kalinic) is doing and as Junior (Hoilett) is too.

"So we've got a nice breed of players aged 21 or less here and I think that this crop of good young players that we've got should be talked about more.

"Hopefully Amine is another one for us for the near future and the long term future of the club"