The 23-year-old joined us on dadline day at the beginning of September on a season-long loan deal from Birmingham City, with the option for the move to be made permanent.

Gardner-Hickman becomes Rovers’ 10th signing of the summer transfer window, which has seen Rovers recruit eight permanent players and two on season-long loans.

Starting his career with West Bromwich Albion, Gardner-Hickman rose through the youth ranks at The Hawthorns, before being handed his senior debut by Valerien Ismael in August 2021.

He went on to make 60 first team appearances in a variety of positions for the Midlands club.

The England Under-20 international joined Bristol City on loan in August 2023, making 39 appearances during his first season with the Robins, who made the move permanent in January 2024.

He joined Birmingham City on loan last season and played a pivotal role as Chris Davies’ side secured promotion back to the Championship with a record-breaking points total.

An energetic, forward-thinking and highly-motivated midfielder, Gardner-Hickman made 33 league appearances in 2024-25 and weighed in with important winning goals against Leyton Orient, Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United during the run-in.

His move to St. Andrew’s was made permanent at the end of the season, but Gardner-Hickman will now spend the remainder of the 2025-26 Championship campaign on loan at Ewood Park, where he has been reunited with his former Baggies boss.