Blackburn Rovers midfielder Danny Guthrie says that new midfielder Hope Akpan is a top signing for the club.

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Guthrie has a lot of faith in Rovers' new signing Hope Akpan

Guthrie was released by Championship rivals Reading at the end of last season, after making a total of 62 appearances for the club, but only made five appearances in last years disappointing season and signed a two-year deal with Blackburn Rovers.

Akpan also played at Reading with Guthrie, but had his contract at the club terminated this week so that Blackburn could sign him on a free transfer, as they can't pay any transfer fees.

They arrive at a Blackburn side in need of additions, but unable to spend money on transfer fees due to being under a transfer embargo inflicted by breaching financial fair play.

But despite competing for the same position, Guthrie thinks Akpan is a fine signing for Blackburn, telling the club's official website: "I spent a couple of years with Hope at Reading. He’s a top fella and I got on with him really well.

"He’s really impressive physically and really good technically, so I think it’s a good signing for the club. He came through at Everton, so he was brought up properly and he knows how to play.
The arrival of Akpan means increased competition for places in the centre of the park, but Guthrie knows competition is essential if a team is to be successful.
"No team is any good without competition. People can’t rest on their laurels and you never know what’s going to happen in the season with injuries, so the more quality bodies you have the better."

The Nigerian international is a decent player at Championship level and still has years ahead of him to get better, this is a good move for him, as his game time at Reading was always going to be limited.

Blackburn fans... What do you make of this news? Is Akpan a good signing? Will he start for you? Where else do you need strengthening? Let us know in the comments below!