Kyle McFadzean feels his patience has been rewarded after finally signing a new deal at Blackburn Rovers.

The defender is back for the 2024/25 campaign after inking a one-year deal this week. Talks have been ongoing for several months and looked like they'd hit a standstill.

McFadzean admits there were periods where he feared he'd be forced to look elsewhere having nailed his colours to the mast early on; a return to Ewood Park was always his first choice.

Though he had other offers, a desire to work with John Eustace and the Rovers' boss reassurance that he wanted him back was key.

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"I'm over the moon, I couldn't wait to get the pen and sign," he told RoversTV.

"It's been nice to be back out there with the lads. It's been on and off a few times but I knew where I wanted to be. I had other offers but I wanted to be here.

"I had a few texts over the summer asking what was happening but I stayed patient.

"I want to be back with this team and this gaffer, which was the main thing for me. It probably took a bit too much time but I'm pleased it's over the line.

"I was constantly talking to the gaffer, I had a lot of trust in him and it has paid off. I think I did a good job, I think I've got more to offer.

"I took his word and he stuck by it and did everything possible to get this done."

McFadzean has been working alone for the past month after his Rovers deal expired. He's been out running regularly with his brother, Callum, who has also been looking for a new deal.

The 37-year-old feels he's a few weeks away from full fitness but is keen to make up for lost time.

"It has been difficult because I'm trying to run every day but you can't do the ball work and those things. It's tough to replicate training.

"It's been too much running! But at my age, you have to keep yourself ticking over.

"I have done a lot of work but it's not the same. It's been alright because I've been out with my brother and John Fleck too. It's been good in that sense and to have more time with the kids but I was losing my patience with them!

"I'll need a couple of weeks training to get up to speed, the lads look very fit and sharp. I'm looking forward to getting over that white line again and kicking some players."

McFadzean's aim is to earn a regular starting berth in the Rovers defence. He feels fans will see a better version of him this time around after arriving in January without proper match fitness.

"I will always back myself to get in the team," he said.

"When I came here in January, I wasn't fit. I'd had a lot of time off and I was trying to get back fit. I'm fit now but I just need that sharpness. 

"I will be much better this season than I was last season. We've got to hit the ground running, we have to aim high. Everyone wants to get promoted but we've also realistic.

"We have to set targets, whether that's play-offs, top-half. I always want to get promoted, I haven't come here to mix it up for 46 games. We're here to win matches.

"When I was at Coventry, nobody expected us to get to the play-off final. This team is a good team, that just needs to add a few more players, which I'm sure we will.

"Keep everyone fit, some player might go, but whatever is here come the end of August, we'll stick with it until January and see where we are."