It was Sir Alex Ferguson who convinced him that Ewood Park was the right destination for him.

Simpson told the club's official website: "I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson and he said I want you to go to Blackburn it will be a good opportunity for you, so I'm just over the moon.

"It is a big club, it has got a big history, they've won the Premiership in the past, and with Paul Ince as a manager as a boy I used to watch him playing for Manchester United.

"It is Premiership football, at a good level, they are a good footballing club so it is a good move for me."