Sam Allardyce has made his first foray into the summer transfer market with the capture of midfielder Elrio van Heerden.

The South African international arrives on a free transfer from Belgium side Club Brugge and has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the Ewood Park club.

A speedy midfielder who is comfortable on either flank or through the centre of the park, the 25-year-old started his professional career in Denmark in 2002 at FC Copenhagen, making his debut in 2004 before going on to play 26 times for the Danish club, scoring five times.

A move to Belgium followed in 2006 where he spent two years with Club Brugge, scoring two goals from his 67 appearances.

Capped 25 times, van Heerden is part of the South African squad that will take part in the Confederations Cup this June. Elrio left his country's training camp to sign for Rovers before jetting back to South Africa on Monday.

South Africa face Iraq in Johannesburg on 14th June, New Zealand in Rustenburg on June 17th before their final group match against Spain in Bloemfontein on June 20th.