Andrews helped MK Dons win promotion last season

Blackburn have signed MK Dons captain Keith Andrews on a three-year contract for a fee believed to be about �750,000, rising to �1m.

The move reunites the midfielder with Paul Ince, who left the League One club to take over as Rovers manager in June.

"It's taken a long time and a lot has gone on behind the scenes but I am delighted to be here," the Irishman, 27, told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Once I knew Blackburn were interested there was one place I wanted to go."

"You can't give up these opportunities in life and to be fair to the chairman he hasn't stood in my way.

"I'm under no illusions - it is going to very hard task ahead. I'm sure it's raised a lot of people's eyebrows. I just have to prove to myself that I am good enough for this level."

New Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo says Andrews will be missed at stadium:mk and the Italian hopes he will have a chance for a final foray into the transfer market before the window closes on 1 September.

"He is going to be a big loss for this club, he has been fantastic here at MK and it is a bit of a shame," said the Italian.

"But it is the player's wish and dream and we wish him good luck.

"It is going to take time to see how much he'll be missed here and obviously you know the transfer window closes in a few days, so there is not much time left.

"But I guess the chairman will be happy he has got a richer bank account and we will see what we can do."

Andrews skippered the Dons to promotion last season, as well as a victory over Grimsby Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

606: DEBATE Ince obviously rates him, and I'm sure he knows a good player when he sees one Rob_of_the_Rovers

He started his career with Wolves and moved to Milton Keynes in 2006 following a 15-month spell at Hull City.

The midfielder had one year remaining on his contract at Dons and becomes Ince's sixth signing of the summer.