Rovers have signed Daniel Ayala on a free transfer as the Spaniard arrives on a three-year deal.

A deal for the former Middlesbrough man had been on the cards earlier this month, only for late interest from a club in Saudi Arabia which derailed their plans.

However, after that move stalled, Rovers seized their opportunity to revisit the deal for the 29-year-old who has signed a deal through to 2023.

He solves Rovers’ long search for a central defender having been short of options since the departure of loanee Tosin Adarabioyo.

And Rovers have confirmed that Ayala won’t have to quarantine, having not left the country for talks elsewhere, and will be available straight away.

However, having left Middlesbrough in June he hasn’t trained with a senior club in pre-season, spending time with non-league outfit Nantwich Town.

He comes with several years of regular Championship football under his belt, after spending seven years with Middlesbrough.

Ayala has been handed the No.5 shirt and becomes their second senior signing of the summer after goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Rovers’ plans to add a second central defender to their ranks this summer could well come down to whether MLS side DC United meet the club’s valuation for Derrick Williams.