Jack Barrett believes Ewood Park is “the perfect place” to continue his development after signing a contract at Rovers.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has put pen to paper over an initial one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

Barrett left Everton at the end of last season, having been with the Merseyside club since the age of nine.

He featured for the Toffees’ Under-21 side in Premier League 2 and also had a loan spell at Canadian Premier League club Cavalry during the second half of last season.

Barrett had been on trial with Rovers and was included in the squad against Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.

The shot stopper was also named in the goalkeeping department travelling to Austria along with Aynsley Pears, Joe Hilton and Nic Michalski.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “I’ve obviously been in for the last week or so and have really enjoyed my time with Ben (Benson), Chris (Renshaw) and the rest of the keepers, so I’m buzzing to be here permanently now.

“Everyone has made me feel very welcome and I’ve got on with everyone straight away. I knew Joe (Hilton) already from my time at Everton, so I’ve settled in very quickly. Austria will help me get to know all the other lads too, as we’ll be with each other 24/7. 

“When I knew that Blackburn Rovers were interested, I obviously knew how big of a football club it is and the history of the club, so I was delighted to be able to sign.

“I was at Everton for 14 years – a long time – but I think it was the right time to move on and try something different and I feel like Blackburn Rovers is the perfect place for me to go.

“I just want to try and play as many games as I can, be in and around the first team and hopefully we can have a successful season.”

Rovers are still searching for a direct replacement for Leo Wahlstedt, who completed a permanent move to Danish club Aarhus after 12 months in East Lancashire.

Earlier this month, The Lancashire Telegraph revealed that Luton veteran Tim Krul was a target at Ewood Park.

Felix Goddard also headed out on loan to Dundalk last week to further his experience in the League of Ireland.