Former Blues skipper Sam Morsy has joined Championship Blackburn Rovers, who are managed by another one-time Town captain, Tony Mowbray.

Morsy, 34, was a free agent having left Bristol City at the end of last season after joining them midway though the campaign following his short spell with SC Kuwait following his Portman Road departure last summer.

The Egypt international, who led Town to League One and Championship promotion in successive seasons, has signed a one-year deal at Ewood Park.

“I know a lot about the club because my mum was born here, my grandparents, uncles and aunties are all here, lots of my family,” Morsy said.

“I know the area, I know the club and the passionate fanbase, so it all felt like a good fit.

“Growing up, I’d be at my grandparents’, who were in Rishton for a number of decades and I’ve lived locally when I was at Wigan as well. I know all about the area and I’m familiar with it all, so I’m really excited to be here.

“It’s a club I’ve played against lots of times, I’ve had some good battles with over the years, it’s a fantastic club with an exciting project and with a good manager, so I can’t wait to get going.

“He spoke really well about the way he wanted to play, his ideas, what he wanted to do and the type of players he wanted to bring in, along with what he wants to build.”

He added: “There have been some good battles over the years and it’s funny when I think back to those battles I had with Trav [Lewis Travis], who has become a really good friend of mine after he came to Ipswich, which was something I didn’t expect!

“I want to win and I do anything necessary to win. It’s a club I know everything about and we want to give the fans a good team again.”

Photo: Reuters and Matchday Images