Patience is a virtue and for Connor O'Riordan, it's been a long wait for his January transfer.

The defender has been a long-term target for Blackburn Rovers and could've joined in the summer. Crewe Alexandra rejected the interest but a switch in the New Year always seemed likely.

There was an anticipation that the deal would get wrapped up earlier in the month but negotiations dragged on. It was over the weekend that a breakthrough was made with Rovers finding an agreement on the structure of the transfer.

O'Riordan played throughout the speculation, potentially putting the move in doubt had he picked up an injury. Had Crewe's match against Morecambe on Tuesday not been postponed, he would've been involved for The Alex 24 hours before his medical.

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"It has been a weird experience but whilst I was under contract with Crewe I'd always conduct myself professionally," he explained.

"I always give my all in the game, we won four in four in January. It's always in the back of your mind, you don't want to get injured.

"My family were even more scared. I was meant to play on Tuesday against Morecambe but it got postponed. We knew the medical was on Wednesday and my mum was delighted. 

"It was nerve-wracking for them going through another game when the move was so close.

"It's been busy and very good, I am delighted to be here. I was involved in training today. January has dragged on, I knew about the interest at the end of December and we thought it would get done early in Jan.

"That wasn't the case but it's completed now and that makes me even more excited. I am delighted it is over the line.

"We always thought it would get done but the longer it goes on, you're never sure until it is done in football. I always thought I'd be here, I am buzzing that I am."

The step up from League Two to the Championship is steep. Given Rovers' current injury situation, O'Riordan might be relied upon sooner than he may have been expected.

Whilst Jon Dahl Tomasson has called for patience with the new addition, there will be opportunities between now and the end of the season.

Although a young player, O'Riordan is at least up to match speed. He's got a good volume of games under his belt in his career. The League Two side, like Rovers, are famed for their academy and giving young talents the chance to prove themselves.

"I am really excited, I know it'll be a big challenge. Hopefully, I can start well and establish myself in the side.

"I know it's a small squad at the moment and a young team which is exciting. Hopefully, I'll get given a chance and until then I'll keep working hard.

"I will do my best in training to impress the manager. I have been at Crewe for so long and you can already see the difference between League Two and the Championship.

"It will take me a few sessions to get used to it but I've felt welcome with the group.

"There aren't many clubs that are better at producing players than Crewe, they gave me an opportunity to play a lot of games at a young age. 

"I have known a lot of staff for years and they're very pleased for me. That's what the football club is about, playing young players and letting them go to better and bigger things.

"They've played full academy 11s and they could do it loads if they wanted to. I hope I'll be the next one out of that academy who goes and has a successful career in the game. I'll always be grateful for what they did for me."