BLACKBURN Rovers have announced they paid £1.254m to agents between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015 – nearly half less than in the previous year.

In between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014 Rovers shelled out £2.448m in agents’ fees.

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A club statement said: “In accordance with Football Association Regulations on Working with Intermediaries (Agents), Blackburn Rovers Football Club today reports that a total of £1,254,609.82 was paid to authorized Intermediaries, Agents and/or exempt solicitors during the period 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015.

“The Club publishes this figure, which is exclusive of VAT in accordance with the FA’s Regulations, and confirm that it represents the aggregate of all payments made to Intermediaries/Agents during the reporting period, including payments made by the Club on behalf of players.”

Between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015 Rovers made six permanent senior signings (Jason Steele, Sacha Petshi, Fode Koita, Danny Guthrie, Nathan Delfouneso, Hope Akpan) and five loan senior  signings (Jay Spearing, Doneil Henry, Paul Taylor, Modou Barrow, Tom Lawrence).

They also sold five senior players (Jack O’Connell, Anthony O’Connor, Tom Cairney, Josh King, Rudy Gestede), allowed six to leave for free (David Dunn, Paulo Jorge, Josh Morris, Paul Robinson, Yann Songo’o, Luke Varney), and paid off four (Jordan Slew, Bradley Orr, Leon Best, Jake Kean).

Over the same period of time seven current Championship clubs paid more to agents (Cardiff City £2.828m, Fulham £2.735m, Reading £2.391m, QPR £2.361m, Hull City £1.813m, Nottingham Forest £1.440m, Burnley £1.363m) than Rovers.

QPR, Hull and Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last season.