Andi Weimann has opened up on a strange summer after competing at the European Championship as a free agent before earning a move to Blackburn Rovers.

The Austrian forward left Bristol City at the end of his contract on June 30, with that deal ending whilst he prepared for a Euros quarter-final with Turkey.

It's the first time that Weimann has expired uncertainty in his career, having always been contracted between moves. His pedigree in England speaks for itself having broken through at Aston Villa before turning out for Derby County, Bristol City and now Rovers.

He explained how the move came about, directly contacting clubs he felt might be interested about coming into train. John Eustace agreed and, a week later, he signed a one-year deal.

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"I didn't ever see it as a trial, I wanted to go somewhere that might have something at the end of it," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"There was the possibility of coming in, I asked to train not the club who asked for me. I asked if I could come in to stay fit and I asked a few other clubs.

"But there was no point going somewhere if I knew something couldn't happen. I wanted to be somewhere that they might be interested in signing me and we got it sorted pretty quickly.

"It was a bit strange, I've never been in this position before so I don't really know how it works. I have an agent and he was saying me that he's seen it loads before, sometimes it takes a while for the free agents to get picked up because there's less rush.

"It's been a strange summer for me because I went away with Austria for the Euros, I had probably two weeks off. That has worked in my favour because I didn't have to train by myself.

"At the same time, if you sit at home every day looking at your phone, it's a little bit strange. I'm glad I've got it sorted before the season starts and I'm ready to go."

Weimann has been a versatile player throughout his career. At Villa, he mainly played down the middle, as a striker. As Derby, more off the right-hand side and at Bristol City, he had a go at every position with no fuss.

However, he's clear that his skillset is best used in the number 10 role, behind a main striker. That's a position that could become vacant if Sam Szmodics indeed moves on.

"I definitely think I am best in the middle of the pitch," he explained.

"Probably as a second striker or as a number 10, that's my best position. But, as you've said, at Bristol I played everywhere apart from centre-back. Right-wing-back, left-wing-back, everywhere.

"I am happy to play anywhere, the main aim is to be on the pitch, it doesn't matter where. But I think my best position is in-behind the striker.

"I have been training for two weeks, the lads have taken to me and I'm enjoying it. I'm trying to pass on the experience that I have."

The new season is only a few days away and for all of Rovers' free agent recruits, it's a race against time to regain full fitness. Each one is in top physcial condition but without any pre-season games, they lack match sharpness.

Weimann is perhaps best placed to make the squad against Derby after spending the bulk of his summer in Germany before a two-week break and then training with Rovers. He is certainly hopeful of having some involvement this weekend.

"I feel good in myself, I've only had two weeks off so not a long time.

"The only thing I haven't had is pre-season games. Match fitness is the only thing I'm missing. If you're asking me, I definitely want to be on the bench on Friday or be involved.

"Obviously, that's up to the manager, if he thinks I'm ready. Personally, I feel in good shape.

"It's a new club so I can't wait to make my debut, get going. Normally when the fixtures come out, I'm quick to look at the first game, Boxing Day, key dates like that.

"I haven't been able to do that this year so I've been checking that out. Obviously, it's one of my former clubs, Derby, so I hope I'm involved."