Blackburn Rovers have completed a loan move for Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio, making him their first signing of transfer deadline day.

The defender becomes Rovers' third defensive signing of the transfer window, signing for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old joins Connor O'Riordan and Kyle McFadzean in strengthening Rovers' options at the back. With Hayden Carter out injured, Rovers opted for further cover to ensure the squad wasn't left stretched.

Director of Football Gregg Broughton said: “With Hayden Carter’s injury, we wanted to ensure that we could add pace and physicality to the team, and Billy brings both of those attributes to us.

“This is his third senior loan spell, so this isn’t a player who’s just coming out of Under-21s football, and I think the fans will be really, really excited to see him play.”

Koumetio started his youth career with his hometown team Lyon, before joining Liverpool from Orleans in 2018.

He made his Liverpool debut in a Champions League group game away to FC Midtjylland in December 2020, before starting his first game for the club in a League Cup tie against Leicester City 12 months later. 

Koumetio gained further first-team experience on loan at Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Vienna during the 2022-23 season before the French youth international spent the first half of this season back in his homeland on loan with USL Dunkerque.

Rovers have continued their fruitful partnership with Liverpool, with Koumetio following Harvey Elliott, Leighton Clarkson and Tyler Morton in swapping Anfield for Ewood Park on a temporary basis.