Blackburn new boy Danny Graham lifts lid on 'difficult' Sunderland spell

The 30-year-old forward has joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers after his release from Sunderland at the end of last season.

Graham spent the second half of last season on loan at Ewood Park and he has now signed a permanent deal to remain in the North West.

Graham - who scored seven goals in 18 games for Rovers last season - netted just once in 41 appearances for Sunderland after arriving in a £5million move from Swansea three years ago.

But he is now relishing his new surroundings and Graham said new manager Owen Coyle and his relationship with the Rovers players and fans were all major factors in his decision to return.

"Obviously, the success I had at the end of last season was a massive part of it," Graham added.

"The gaffer has been on the phone five or six days in a row now to show how much he really wants me at this football club and what plans he's got for the club taking it forward, so I'm looking forward to working with him and getting back to see the lads and getting pre-season going.

"My loan spell here was everything I wanted. I've had a stop-start last three seasons, where I've never really played a full season and to come here, the gaffer said I'm going to play week-in and week-out if I'm fit and doing well, so the success I had at the back end of last season played a massive part and I can't wait to get going now.

"Obviously my time at Sunderland was very difficult and to come here and do well and the fans wanted me to come back played a massive part as well.

"It's a big football club, the gaffer has big plans for it and I’m just looking forward to getting the work done now.

"So it's nice to feel wanted, but most importantly I wanted to be here as well, so I'm delighted to get it done."