BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has made his most significant signing of the summer so far by agreeing a new deal with Kiwi defender Ryan Nelsen.

Hughes has shaken hands on a three year contract with the New Zealand international, which clears the way for Rovers to apply for a work permit for the 27-year-old stopper.

At the moment, Nelsen doesn't qualify for a work permit automatically as New Zealand are not ranked amongst the top 75 football nations in the world.

That means Rovers will have to take their application to an appeal this summer, but club officials are confident they can convince the work permit application board that Nelsen is good enough to play in the Premier League, based on his impressive form during the second half of last season.

Rovers' chief executive, John Williams, said today: "We are pleased that we've now reached agreement on terms with Ryan for a new three year deal.

"That now enables us to go before the work permit application board.

"We know that Ryan doesn't qualify for a permit automatically because of New Zealand's status so we'll have to go to appeal, but we are optimistic we can now put forward a strong case at such a hearing."

Nelsen initially joined Rovers on an 18-month contract under the holiday visa programme in January but after he caught the eye with some stunning performances during his first season with the club, Hughes was eager to sign him up on a longer term deal, thus warding off the threat of losing him to another Premiership rival.

Now the Kiwi has made a firm commitment in regard to his future, Rovers are in a position to press ahead with a work permit application and they hope to get the green light later

this month.

Williams said: "Mark Hughes considers this to be a very significant signing. Ryan had an excellent second half to last season and if he can reproduce that form over the next three years then we'll be delighted."

In the meantime, Rovers have also confirmed they are in negotiations with Brad Friedel regarding a new contract - a story we broke exclusively earlier in the summer.

"We have begun negotiations with Brad and we hope to announce something soon on that," added Williams.