In recent years, Blackburn Rovers have not been adverse to splashing the cash when it comes to player recruitment.

But while the Lancashire club have caught the eye with their transfer spending on more than one occasion, it has often been the case that it has been some of the signings they have done on the cheap that have had the biggest impact at Ewood Park.

Indeed, it could be argued that a number of Blackburn's key figures over time, have been those they have signed on free transfers.

Here, we've taken a trip down memory lane to look at six of Rovers' best free transfer signings from the past few seasons.

Following his departure from Celtic in the summer of 2016, Blackburn moved to secure the signing of Charlie Mulgrew on a free transfer.

Despite some more contentious moments in the last year or so, Mulgrew's contribution early on in his Rovers career should be well remembered by the club's fans, not least his 14 goals from centre back as he captained Blackburn to promotion from League One at the first attempt in the 2017/18 season.

There were a few eyebrows raised when veteran midfielder Stewart Downing was signed by Blackburn last summer following his departure from Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

Any concerns about the former England internationals ability to compete at that level were unfounded however. Only three outfield players in Rovers' squad made more appearances than Downing's 43 in all competitions last season, and his return of eight assists was the most of any member of Tony Mowbray's side, meaning it was no surprise to see him eventually handed a new contract for this season.

Having spent an impressive loan spell at Ewood Park during the second half of the 2015/16, Graham returned to the club on a permanent basis during the summer of 2016, following his release from Sunderland.

What followed was a further 50 goals and 173 appearances in Rovers colours for Graham, as he played a key role in the club's promotion from League One in 2017/18, before winning Blackburn's Player of the Year award the following season, as his performances both on and off the pitch rightly earned him cult status amongst the club's fanbase, which will remain long after his departure from Ewood Park at the end of last season.

Even at the latter stages of his career, a player moving to Blackburn following the end of a ten-year spell with Real Madrid is always going to bring a fair amount of speculation with him, and Salgado certainly lived up to that.

The Spaniard spent the next three years of his career with the Lancashire, with his tenacious nature and high quality performance on the pitch, and affection and commitment to Rovers off it, earning him iconic status at Ewood Park that still remains to this day.

When New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen joined Blackburn on a free transfer from MLS side DC United in 2005, Rovers fans might not have known quite what to expect, but they need not have worried.

Over the next seven years, Nelsen's leadership and physical presence at heart of Rovers' defence made him a key asset for the club, deservedly earning him the captain's armband as he made just over 200 appearances for the club, helping them reach one FA Cup and two League Cup semi finals, as well as twice qualifying for European football during his influential time at Ewood Park.

It could be argued that not only is Brad Friedel one of Blackburn's best ever free signings, but one of the Premier League's best ever.

Joining from Liverpool on a free transfer in January 2000, the American's first few months at the club saw Rovers win promotion back to the next top-flight, and his consistent string of brilliant saves and dominant performances over the next seven years as he surpassed more than 350 games for the club saw him become one of the league's most reliable 'keepers ever - he still holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances - and an undoubted club legend at Ewood Park.