Danny Batth insisted he had no hesitation at joining Blackburn Rovers despite his move falling through 12 months previous.

The 33-year-old signed for Rovers last week, a deal that had been more than a year in the making. A two-year deal had been agreed last summer to join from Sunderland, only for Venky's issues in India to scupper the deal.

Batth was available despite being Sunderland's Player of the Year for 2022/23; a lesson in the politics that plauge football. A move to Norwich City transpired on deadline day but his stay last 12 months and his game time was more restricted.

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A move to Rovers has now materialised and the defender insisted he jumped at the chance to join a 'historic' club. 

"I don't think anyone who has an opportunity to come into a club like this has any concerns or trepidations," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"It's a great club, you walk around the training ground and you see the size of it, the potential and the history of the club.

"It's a place where any player who gets the opportunity to play here, is lucky.

"It's been a busy week with lots of things happening. On Monday I trained at Wolves and then by Thursday I was here doing a medical.

"I am excited to be back in and at a club like Blackburn. You have to give yourself the best chance of impressing when you come back so training at Wolves was important. It's like the first day of school."

"I take everything one step a time, it's all part of the footballing experience," he added, reflecting on the last 15 months.

"I had a great time at Sunderland, I loved it there, but there is a lot of politics in football. You don't come out and talk about it because that's how the game works.

"You hjave to learn quickly. At my age now, I am probably a bit more street-wise in terms of looking at the future and where I see myself.

"It's important to know the direction you're going in and be in the best place possible.

"I went to Norwich on the last day and I backed myself to play games. Both clubs were successful finishing at the right end of the league albeit not going all the way, unfortunately.

"Being part of successful groups is something I have always been used to and tried to do in my career.

"He (Eustace) was very important, I think. I've spoken to him a few times and we had very good conversations. 

"I've played against his teams many times and I know where I'll fit in and how I can impact the group. I'm excited to work with him on the training pitch and day-to-day."

Batth comes with an impressive CV and great pedigree. The defender won the Championship at Wolves, earned promotion at Sunderland and has seen what 'best in class' looks like at this level.

With the arrival of Batth, Kyle McFadzean and Andi Weimann, they have automatically installed leaders in the dressing room to help their emerging talent.

From his limited time in his new surroundings, Batth has seen enough to be encouraged that the squad has the right mentality to succeed.

"There is a lot, you need good players, obviously," he explained.

"There are so many other things that you can get an edge on an opponent with or not getting beaten up after a bad result, those sort of things. 

"You can't play down how important that is. I'll be looking to try and add that to our group. We have players that are doing really well or have done really well.

"From what I've seen, it's a group that's very hard-working and they're very good pros. The gym is full at 9am, you have to scrap over a mat to get your stretches done.

"It's a good group, I haven't trained loads with them but it's a good nucleus. Some of the players are young but they have a bright future ahead of them."

Batth has been training with Wolves but hasn't played a pre-season match. It's understood Rovers are trying to arrange some internal matches to help their new players up to speed.

Derby might come too soon for the defender, in particular, but he's chomping at the bit for his first appearance.

"You want to close in on that first game as a player," said.

"Off-season programmes are great but match awareness, reacting to the opposition, seeing where the ball is, shifting with it and communicating with team-mates, you only get that in games. That's where I want to get over the next few weeks."

"The sooner that comes the better. When the right comes, we'll find out. I'll make sure I'm prepared.

"I'm not too sure where I'm at, physically I feel very good, I see my running numbers every day through the GPS and other metrics you get.

"I know where I'm at in that sense but football is different. It's one thing to run up and down, change direction, but playing football is different. You want some minutes in, ideally, beforehand.

"Obviously, I'd back myself and be comfortable if I went straight in but you never know."