According to The Northern Echo, former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and England winger Stewart Downing is set to sign for Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer.
Downing recently left boyhood club Middlesbrough after he was not offered a new deal at the end of the season. He is set to become a free agent at the end of this month and he looks to be nearing a move to fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The 34 year old has been weighing up his options, with plenty of offers coming in from the Championship, League One and even the MLS. Reports suggested Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday were keen, but it now looks as though Blackburn is his preferred destination this summer.
Rovers are currently managed by Middlesbrough legend Tony Mowbray, and this certainly could’ve played a huge part in his decision to join.
Downing rejoined Boro in 2015, achieving promotion back to the Premier League under Aitor Karanka in his first season back on Teesside. Having previously made nearly 200 league appearances for Middlesbrough between 2001 and 2009 after graduating through the illustrious academy, he had spells at Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United.
During this time he made 35 appearances for the England senior side and was part of the 2006 World Cup team under Sven Goran Eriksson. He was also included in the 2012 European Tournament side after being picked by then-manager Roy Hodgson.
Downing will add some well needed experience to the ranks at Blackburn having played at the highest level across his 18-year career in football.
