Matt Platt cannot wait to get started with Barrow AFC in League Two after turning his loan move from Blackburn Rovers permanent yesterday.

The 22-year-old centre-back has signed on a two-year deal with the Bluebirds, who have paid Blackburn an undisclosed fee for one of the key figures from their promotion season in the National League.

Platt had a transformative effect on a defence that had leaked 15 goals as AFC lost five of their first eight games of the season before his arrival in September of last year.

Alongside regular partners Sam Hird and Patrick Brough, he helped shore things up at the back to a point where Barrow only lost four of the 29 league games in which he appeared for them.

Not surprisingly, that form meant there were several other clubs in for his signature during the summer, but Platt maintains he always wanted to return under manager David Dunn, who he played under for Blackburn under-23s.

Platt said: “There’s been interest from a few different clubs, but I’m just delighted that I’m going back to Barrow and hopefully we can continue where we left off.

“Obviously, the fact that the new manager coming in is someone that I know well from Blackburn helped a lot as well. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

Platt is the fourth signing Dunn has made since taking charge, after midfielders Mike Jones and Tom Beadling and wide attacker Luke James.

His loan with the Bluebirds last season was actually his second spell at Holker Street, as he made eight appearances under Paul Cox in the last few months of the 2016/17 season, while Blackburn also sent him out to Accrington Stanley and Southport.

Given that he never made a league appearance during his time with Accrington, next season will be the highest level the youngster will have played at.

He said: “It will be my first taste of League football, so I’m looking forward to that, although I suppose it will be kind of new for everybody because Barrow haven’t been in the Football League for a while.

“It will be a new experience for us all and one that we’re all looking forward to.”

On the influence Dunn had in persuading him to come back, Platt said: “I had a good relationship with him from my time at Blackburn.

“He was the under-23s coach and as soon as he got the job with Barrow he made it clear that he wanted me to come back.

“That made my decision a lot easier; having someone that believes in you and you have a good relationship with is important.”