Bentley delight

The capture of the attacking midfielder completed a successful final day of the transfer window, on which Rovers also completed the signing of Zurab Khizanishvili.

He is also on loan for a year, but unlike the Bentley deal, Rovers have first option to buy him from Rangers at the end of it.

The Georgian international will provide the defensive cover, both on the right and in the centre, that manager Mark Hughes was searching for before the end of August.

But Bentley could turn out to be one of the most exciting prospects at Ewood this season, after showing flashes of his skill and flair during last season's loan spell at Norwich.

Rovers chairman John Williams said: "We're very pleased about signing him and, all in all, it makes it a good day.

"He played in the Premiership last season and he gives us a bit of variety across the midfield positions.

"It's something different and it gives us flexibility, which you always need."

Bentley, who turned 21 earlier this week, scored twice in 26 appearances in the top flight for Norwich last season.

Although they were relegated, the England under-21 international turned in a series of impressive performances, particularly before his season was interrupted by injury.

Khizanishvilli, meanwhile, has sped back to Georgia to join the national squad for this weekend's World Cup qualifier with the Ukraine, after being granted special permission to fly to England and complete his switch from Ibrox.

Also yesterday, Matt Derbyshire joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the rest of the campaign.

The striker has not figured this season after a three-match ban for a sending off in pre-season, but stands a better chance of first team football at the Championship club, who were originally interested in Jemal Johnson.

Derbyshire is the fourth Rovers player to drop a division for the remainder of the campaign, following Paul Gallagher (Stoke), Jay McEveley (Ipswich) and Jonathon Douglas (Leeds).

Former Rovers striker Jay Bothroyd has returned to the Premiership after Charlton boss Alan Curbishley swooped to sign him just before the midnight deadline.

The 23-year-old is thought to have joined the Addicks on a free transfer due to his Italian club Perugia's financial problems, but the terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Bothroyd spent last season on loan at Rovers but a combination of injury and disciplinary problems scuppered any chance of that arrangement becoming permanent as the former Arsenal and Coventry man scored just one Premiership goal in 11 appearances.

He replaces Francis Jeffers in Curbishley's squad, after the former Everton and Arsenal striker signed for Rangers on a four-month loan, and becomes Charlton's 10th signing of the summer.