Rovers have bolstered their midfield options with the signing of Huddersfield Town’s Jack Payne, on a loan deal until the end of the current season.
The playmaker, who will don the number 19 shirt during his spell at Ewood Park, started the season on loan at Oxford United, where he scored against the Blues in Rovers’ 4-2 victory at the Kassam Stadium in November, before being recalled by Huddersfield last week.
Payne has a vast amount of third tier experience, having played in over 50 games in the league for Southend United and Oxford United, grabbing 12 goals and 15 assists in the process. In addition to his time in League 1, the 23-year old also played 23 games, scored 2 and got 2 assists for Huddersfield in the Championship last season as the Terriers’ were promoted to the Premier League for the first-time in their history. Payne seemingly has a knack for playing in sides vying for promotion, as alongside his promotion to the Premier League with Huddersfield, he was part of the Southend United side that were promoted from League Two, following their playoff penalty victory in 2015.
The midfielder joins Rovers at a time where the midfield options are slightly limited, with injuries at this current moment to Corry Evans, Peter Whittingham, Ben Gladwin, Harry Chapman and Darragh Lenihan – who can also operate in midfield – so Payne’s arrival will not doubt aid Rovers’ push for promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
With Payne being highly rated by the management staff and the fans alike, having impressed in his game for Oxford against the Blues, the fans will be hoping that Payne can link-up with Rovers’ own playmaker, Bradley Dack, in the quest of unlocking opposition defences. In recent weeks, and even prior to the window opening, Tony Mowbray had claimed that he wanted to sign another playmaker, similar to Dack, who could help him or replace him during fixture congestion, and with the prolific goals and assists record that Payne brings in this division, it looks like Mowbray has got his man.
After being presented as a Rovers player, Payne wasted no time in speaking to the clubs’ media team; “I’m delighted as this is a great opportunity to be a part of this great football club. When I got the call that Blackburn were interested in me, I was excited as I’ve played against them this season and know how good they are and to now be a part of the squad is a great opportunity for me. It was a straight-forward decision for me to sign for this club. I would say that as a player, I work hard for the team and like to be creative in trying to unlock defences and to create goal-scoring opportunities, so hopefully I can help the team get promoted and over the line.”
