Blackburn Rovers agree transfer fee to sign 24-year-old

Blackburn Rovers have agreed a fee to sign Odds goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt, according to Sky Sports (live transfer blog, 02.08.23, 17.12).

Blackburn Rovers are looking to lure the stopper to England this summer as they prepare for another season under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Wahlstedt, 24, is a Sweden international with one cap under his belt which came earlier this year against Finland.

Sky Sports claim Rovers have reached an agreement with his current club over a price tag but face competition from Brondby.

Blackburn identify goalkeeper target

Blackburn could see Wahlstedt as an ideal replacement for Thomas Kaminski ahead of next term. He has caught the eye in the Eliteserien over recent years.

He played for the likes of FC Djursholm, AIK and Arendal before signing for Odds as a youngster in 2021. The ‘keeper has since made the number one spot his own at the Skagerak Arena and has made 68 appearances in all competitions, keeping 19 clean sheets.

It has been a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front at Blackburn as they carefully weigh up their options. They have brought in the likes of Niall Ennis, Sondre Tronsad and Arnór SigurdssonAttacking to bolster their squad.

Rovers will need a goalkeeper if Kaminski is to complete a departure in the near future and although they have Ainsley Pears ready to step up, another one will be required to ensure there is sufficient competition for places.

Wahlstedt would obviously lack Championship experience but he is a decent age and has potential to grow and develop in the future having already racked up a useful amount of games so far in his career. He needs to decide between a move to Blackburn or Brondby now with Tomasson patiently waiting.

Blackburn Rovers: Buckley’s aim ahead of West Brom opener

John Buckley is eager to make his mark after last season was cut short by an untimely knee injury.

Buckley made 28 appearances in all competitions prior to the injury, which he suffered during the 3-2 defeat at Stoke City.

The 23-year-old has featured in pre-season as he aims to build up his sharpness ahead of this weekend’s curtain raiser against West Brom.

He is keen to get off to a positive start against the Baggies as Rovers aim to hit the ground running in the Championship.

“It has come around quickly,” said Buckley. “First and foremost, we want to win the game and start well. We started well last year.

“Pre-season is for building connections with new signings and the young lads. But the business starts this weekend and we want to start well.

“There are a lot of games, it’s a long season. But if you start off well, it helps.

“We know what the gaffer expects now and the standards he has brought. Last year, it was the unknown really but it has been a bit different this pre-season.”

The Academy graduate spent time recovering from the injury during the off-season and admits he is still finding his feet.

“I’ve kept building my fitness up, trying to be tidy on the ball and add things that the gaffer wants,” Buckley continued.

“I am getting there but I’m not fully there yet. I’m still a bit rusty with a few things, but that is what pre-season is about.

“It (takes time), especially after a long injury like that. But that is behind me now and I want to keep moving forward and improving on things.”

Buckley got more than an hour under his belt during the 1-0 win at Stockport County at Edgeley Park last week.

The 23-year-old is keen to play as much as he can over the coming season and hopes Rovers can go one step further than last term, when they missed out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins on the final day.

He reckons there have been promising signs in pre-season but also some areas they can improve heading into the new campaign.

“It’s good to keep building the fitness up and obviously do the principles the gaffer wants,” Buckley explained.

“We played some decent stuff at times (at Stockport) but also sloppy at times, so it’s good to keep improving on that.

“Obviously, I want to be playing as much as I can and hopefully help the team get into the play-offs and get promoted. I will just do all I can do and concentrate on myself.”