Ex-Blackburn Rovers players currently without a club

Scott Dann

Dann made more than 100 appearances for Rovers during a two-and-a-half-year spell in East Lancashire before he was snapped up by Crystal Palace.

The centre-back went on to spend seven-and-a-half-years at Selhurst Park, becoming a regular starter in the top flight.

He headed to Reading in the summer of 2021 but wasn’t able to help the Royals escape relegation from the Championship last season.

Dann departed the club earlier this summer and it remains to be seen whether he will take up a new challenge in the game or call time on his playing career at the age of 36.

Ryan Nyambe

Nyambe came through the youth ranks at Rovers and made his senior debut in August 2015 in a Carabao Cup tie against Shrewsbury.

The defender went on to start more than 180 games at Ewood Park before opting to move on at the end of his contract in the summer of 2022, ending an 11-year association with the club.

He joined Wigan on a one-year deal and played 33 times in all competitions as the Latics were relegated to League One.

The club announced in May that Nyambe would be departing after his contract expired and he is still searching for his next home.

Phil Jones

Another Academy graduate, Jones made his Rovers debut in a Carabao Cup game against Nottingham Forest in 2009.

The defender went on to get plenty of game time under his belt over the next couple of seasons, building a reputation as a youngster with a big future ahead.

He was snapped up by Manchester United in the summer of 2011 and went on to spend more than a decade at Old Trafford, making 229 appearances and being part of a dressing room that had success both domestically and in Europe.

However, opportunities were hard to come by during Jones’ final couple of seasons at United and he departed the club over the summer.

The 31-year-old is yet to make any decisions over his next step but was back at Old Trafford recently to observe Academy training sessions.

Junior Hoilett

Hoilett began his career at Rovers as a youngster, turning down the chance to join Manchester United’s ranks.

The Canadian played in five different countries and had to deal with a work permit nightmare before finally making his Premier League debut against Manchester City in 2009.

He went on to play just shy of 100 matches during his time in East Lancashire, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.

A move to QPR in the summer of 2012 followed after Rovers’ relegation out of the top flight, and Hoilett would also have stints at Cardiff and Reading.

The attacker became a free agent over the summer despite the Royals’ hopes of keeping him in Berkshire and has been linked with a move to Huddersfield in recent weeks.

Ruben Rochina

The Spainard came through the ranks at Barcelona and made several appearances for their B Team before heading to Rovers in 2011.

Rochina went on to make more than 50 appearances in East Lancashire and also had loan spells at Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano.

The attacker opted to make a permanent return to his native country, joining Granada. He also had stints at Rubin Kazan and Levante before returning to the La Liga club in the summer of 2021.

The 32-year-old was released at the end of his contract several months ago, having played nine times in total last season.

Daniel Ayala

The most recent Rovers departure on the list, Ayala made 26 appearances at Ewood Park during the 2022/23 campaign.

The centre-back spent three years in East Lancashire, having spells with the likes of Norwich and Middlesbrough earlier in his career.

The club opted against retaining Ayala, although he did use the facilities at Brockhall to maintain his fitness while searching for a new club.

The Spaniard is understood to have had options in the Championship but his next step is still yet to be decided.