Blackburn are up Downing’s street

Blackburn have made Stewart Downing their first summer signing after he agreed a one-year deal.

The former England international, 34, who was released by Middlesbrough at the end of last season, will stay at Ewood Park until June 2020.

Downing played 44 times for hometown team Boro last term as they just missed out on the play-offs, but despite two spells at the Riverside which have spanned the majority of his career, his playing days will end away from Teesside.

The winger, who represented England in the 2006 World Cup, has also had spells at Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham.