12 ex-Blackburn Rovers names you might now know still play

Morten Gamst Pedersen

Headed to East Lancashire from Tromso in 2004 and went on to play 350 times for the club, quickly becoming a fan favourite.

Departed in the summer of 2013 and had spells at Karabukspor and Rosenborg among others. Returned to Rovers as a special guest for the goalless draw against Southampton in April.

Currently a free agent at 42 following a stint at Ranheim in the Norwegian second division and is eager to keep playing.

"I haven't signed anywhere yet. I've had options from Senegal to lower divisions in Norway. Nothing has felt quite right yet," he told The Lancashire Telegraph. "Maybe I'm a bit spoiled! I don't know, I really enjoyed last season and the one before.

"I have done a full pre-season so we will see what happens, I train every day and I wouldn't if I didn't want to play. I am training with the local team to stay in shape.

"I have always said I want to play as long as I can. I still love the game, that's why I'm doing it. If I didn't feel it was right, I wouldn't.

“I'm not forced to play, I am lucky in that sense. It's just nice to play football! We will wait to see, there is no rush."

Roque Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz scores at Ewood (Image: PA)

Another player Rovers signed from overseas who went on to have a big impact in the Premier League.

Had a prolific record during his first spell and returned on loan from Manchester City a couple of years later.

Later had stints at Malaga and Mexican side Cruz Azul before returning to his native Paraguay, where he is still playing for Libertad.

Corry Evans

Spent eight years at Ewood Park, racking up more than 200 appearances before heading to Sunderland in 2021.

Spent more than a year on the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL but returned to action during the final weeks of the season.

Featured in Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Spain and Andorra earlier this month, starting against the latter.

When asked if he had thought about retirement after the injury, Evans told BBC Sport: "Retirement never crossed my mind, not once. I was always confident I would get back to my level again, it was just a matter of being patient."

Grant Hanley

Made his senior debut in 2010 after progressing through Rovers’ youth ranks and became a key figure in the backline over the next seven years, taking on the captain’s armband.

Was snapped up by Newcastle in the summer of 2016 but failed to make his mark at St James’ Park, heading to Norwich 12 months later.

Featured in all three of Scotland’s Euro group matches against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary. Nearly got on the scoresheet against the latter but was denied by Peter Gulacsi’s flying stop.

Shane Duffy

Played alongside Hanley at Rovers and the pair were reunited at Carrow Road, helping the Canaries finish sixth in the Championship before coming up short against Leeds in the play-off semi-final.

Impressed during a two-year spell at Ewood Park before heading to Brighton in 2016, helping the Seagulls win promotion to the Premier League.

Later had stints at Celtic and Fulham and is still involved on the international stage with Ireland, featuring alongside Sam Szmodics earlier this month.

Jason Lowe

Former Rovers skipper Lowe (Image: PA)

Another player who progressed through Rovers’ Academy ranks before making his senior debut during an FA Cup tie in 2011.

Racked up more than 150 appearances and also wore the captain’s armband before he was released in the summer of 2017.

Went on to play for Birmingham, Bolton and Salford before heading to Port Vale, where he was regularly involved last season. He is still under contract as the Valiants prepare for life in League Two following relegation.

Jason Steele

Headed to Ewood Park on loan from Middlesbrough in 2014 before making the move permanent several months later.

Played more than 100 times before heading to Sunderland in 2017 and was snapped up by Brighton 12 months later.

Made 23 appearances last term for the Seagulls - including five Europa League fixtures and an FA Cup last 16 tie – while he battled with Bart Verbruggen for the starting spot between the sticks.

Elliott Bennett

Spent five-and-a-half-years in East Lancashire and was part of the squad that won promotion from League One under Tony Mowbray.

Took on the captain’s armband for the 2019/20 campaign after Charlie Mulgrew headed to North West neighbours on loan.

Joined Shrewsbury in 2021 and spent the past three years with the Shropshire club but is now a free agent at 35. Bennett is searching for a new challenge but admitted in an interview earlier this summer he might have played his last game as a professional footballer.

“Truly honoured to have had the opportunity to represent my home county club over the last two years,” he wrote on social media. "Playing in front of my kids has been a massive highlight and one I will cherish.

“I've met some incredible people and loved being a part of the club from the moment I signed. Thank you to all the players, staff, and fans that have supported me during my time. Who knows what the future holds.”

Martin Olsson

Made his Rovers debut in 2007 and went on to spend seven-and-a-half-years in the North West before heading to Norwich in the summer of 2013.

Also had a spell at Swansea before returning to his native Sweden to play for Helsingborgs and then Hacken.

Currently playing for Malmo at 36 and has made eight appearances since the start of the campaign in March.

Marcus Olsson

Olsson left Ewood in 2016 (Image: PA)

Arrived at Rovers in 2012, following in his twin brother’s footsteps, and picked up the Player of the Season award for 2014/15.

Stayed for a few more years after his Martin’s departure but eventually signed for Derby for an undisclosed fee in 2016.

Also returned to Sweden to play for Helsingborgs and is now at Halmstads – the club he played for before moving to England. Olsson managed to get on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory against Varnamo a couple of months ago.

Nathan Delfouneso

Had a stint at Ewood Park in 2015/16 but failed to make his mark, finding the net twice in 20 matches.

Spent plenty of time in the North West, also playing for Burnley, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury and Accrington Stanley.

Played in the non-league pyramid last term, initially with Chorley before heading to Hednesford Town in February.

Josh King

Joined on loan from Manchester United in 2012, initially on loan before completing a permanent switch to East Lancashire a few months later.

Spent the next couple of years at Rovers before heading to Bournemouth on a free transfer when his contract expired.

Also had stints at Everton and Watford before heading to Fenerbahce, scoring four goals in 24 games last term including a brace in a Europa Conference League tie against Spartak Trnava.

Confirmed last month he would be leaving the Turkish club, writing on social media: “I feel honoured to have worn the yellow/blue shirt for two years.

“In football there are ups and downs. My injuries kept me from giving you fans what I planned for when I signed for this amazing club, so for that I apologize. No-one wanted to be on the pitch in front of you more than me!”