Five ex-Blackburn Rovers players who have found new clubs this summer

We have taken a look at some of the former Rovers players who have switched clubs this summer ahead of the upcoming season.

Jordan Rhodes

Rhodes is back playing in Lancashire (Image: PA)

The talisman headed to Lancashire neighbours Blackpool on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell with the Seasiders last season.

Rhodes found the net 15 times but missed the end of the campaign through injury as Neil Critchley’s side narrowly missed out on a League One play-off place following defeat at Reading on the final day.

The 34-year-old has put pen to paper over a 12-month contract at Bloomfield Road following his departure from Huddersfield.

"I feel very lucky to hopefully get another chance to have another shot here at Blackpool," he told the club website.

"I loved being here each and every day last season and I feel lucky that I potentially get to do that again.

"It's a place I feel really accustomed to, it brings the best out of me and hopefully together we can kick on again this coming season."

Rhodes had a prolific record during his three-and-a-half-years at Ewood Park, scoring 85 times in 169 appearances.

He was snapped up by Middlesbrough in 2016 and also had spells at Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday before heading to the John Smith’s Stadium in the summer of 2021.

Sam Barnes

Barnes had a couple of long-term injuries (Image: Camerasport)

The young defender joined League Two club Barrow following his departure from Ewood Park earlier this summer.

Barnes had spent 12 years at Rovers, progressing through the club’s youth ranks and making his senior debut in a Carabao Cup win against Walsall last term.

However, his progress was hampered by a couple of major injuries which kept him on the sidelines for lengthy spells.

“I think it’s the right time in my career to make a fresh start and it’s the perfect club for me to make this fresh start at,” he told the club website.

“I’m really happy to be here. I think it’s a fantastic club to sign for and it’s a club that I’ve followed closely for the last couple of seasons with a few of my mates playing here, but I’m really excited to get it over the line.”

The Bluebirds finished eighth in the fourth tier last term, missing out on the play-offs by a single point after drawing against Mansfield on the final day.

Manager Pete Wild has since left the club and Stephen Clemence has been named as his successor in the dugout.

Connor Mahoney

Mahoney will play alongside Barnes at Holker Street (Image: PA)

Mahoney is another former Rovers youngster who has headed to Holker Street ahead of the upcoming League Two campaign.

The winger scored seven goals in 43 matches during a loan spell with Gillingham last season as the Gills finished in 12th place.

Mahoney arrived at Ewood Park from Accrington Stanley in 2013 and went on to make 21 senior appearances at Ewood Park before heading to Bournemouth.

He went on to have stints at Barnsley, Birmingham, Millwall and Huddersfield and is now relishing his next challenge with the Bluebirds.

“I’m delighted to be here and I’m now just really excited for what the future holds,” the 27-year-old explained.

“It had been in the pipeline for a few weeks, obviously with the relationship I’ve got with the gaffer, having played under him at Gillingham last season.

Ethan Walker

Walker has taken up a new challenge in Scotland (Image: Rovers)

Walker also departed Rovers this summer following a couple of seasons in East Lancashire. He arrived from Preston North End in 2022 and initially slotted into Mike Sheron’s Under-21 side.

Last term, the youngster had loan spells at Morecambe and Oldham in search of regular playing time to continue his development.

He has now linked up with Scott Brown at Ayr United. Brown took charge in January following a stint in the dugout at Fleetwood.

“Before I joined Blackburn Rovers two years ago, I had quite an honest conversation with Scott and he wanted me to come to Fleetwood. We had a really good conversation about the situation and where I wanted my career to go,” he told the club’s official channels.

“I believed at the time that Blackburn was the right thing for me and he was great. He understood what I was looking for.

“Now, it's the time where I have left and I need to go and express myself. Having Scott come and speak to me again and show he really wants me to come, improve me and progress me, was a big reason.”

Clinton Mola

Mola is gearing up for another season in League One (Image: PA)

The defender recently joined League One side Bristol Rovers on a three-year deal. He spent last season at Reading, playing 35 times as the Royals finished 17th amid their problems off the pitch.

Mola now links up with Chorley-born Matt Taylor, who took charge at the Memorial Stadium last December following a spell in the Rotherham dugout.

“Joining Bristol Rovers is an exciting opportunity for me. When I heard the club was in for me, I was very interested,” he told the club website.

“The club has made me feel very wanted and that was a big part in my decision to join Rovers. I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going.”

The 23-year-old had a spell on loan at Ewood Park from German side Stuttgart during the 2022/23 campaign but made just six first-team appearances.