Blackburn Rovers must try sign ex-Charlton Athletic midfielder for £0 | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers should look to sign Greg Docherty as a free agent following his release from Charlton Athletic

The 2026 summer transfer window has officially slammed shut, but as for Blackburn Rovers, their business may not be done just yet, as head coach Tony Mowbray must take action to secure the services of a free-agent bargain.

Blackburn have endured another quiet transfer window, with the Lancashire-based outfit bringing in just four new bodies to the squad, three of those being new.

The former Premier League champions have suffered from a lack of investment for years under the Venky's ownership, which rages on to this day, with the club relying heavily on free transfers, loans, and nominal fees.

However, whilst the window may be shut, business at Ewood Park may not be done just yet.

Blackburn Rovers had a quiet summer transfer window

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Blackburn has completed the additions of Moussa Baradji, who returns permanently from Yverdon after a successful loan spell, whilst each of Sam Morsy, Jayden Fevrier, and Gedy Beyuku has arrived at Ewood Park this summer.

Rovers have been linked with a move for free agent Will Smallbone following his release at the end of last season from Southampton, with Football League World having exclusively reported previously that both Burnley and Stoke City had shown an interest in the Irishman.

As Mowbray eyes up free agents following the closure of the window, another interesting option has just recently emerged on the market, as the 62-year-old former West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland head coach must strike while the iron is hot on this one.

Blackburn Rovers should look to sign Greg Docherty as a free agent following his recent release from Charlton Athletic

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With Smallbone on their radar, Blackburn should continue to explore the free agent market beyond the summer deadline, and must consider a move for Scottish midfielder Greg Docherty following his recent release from Charlton Athletic.

Docherty, 29, was the captain of Charlton, having played a key role in the Addicks' rise from League One to the Championship and solidifying themselves in the division.

However, as Charlton look forward and try to evolve their squad, Docherty was deemed surplus to requirements, as he and the club came to a mutual agreement to terminate his terms in South East London, allowing him to join any club on a free transfer immediately.

Upon his release, Docherty said: "I'll always be grateful for my time at Charlton and everything the club has given me, but football moves fast and I'm now excited to see what the future holds."

Now, the 29-year-old will be on the lookout for his next club, as Blackburn should be throwing their hat into the ring ASAP.

Why Greg Docherty would be a good signing for Blackburn Rovers

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Docherty, at 29, has ample experience under his belt, with over a century of appearances in each of the Championship, Scottish Premiership, and League One across spells with Hamilton Academical, Rangers, Shrewsbury Town, Hibernian, Hull City, and, most recently, Charlton,

The Scot would play pivotal roles in promotions from League One to the Championship with both Hull and Charlton, captaining the latter on their way to defeating Leyton Orient 1-0 at Wembley.

Last season, Docherty made 39 Championship appearances for the Addicks on their way to surviving relegation, and even played 90 minutes in their 5-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup the other week, but despite this, he has been allowed to leave for nothing.

Capable of playing anywhere across the midfield, Docherty is best deployed in a deeper role where he can break up play, as according to FotMob, the midfielder made 196 defensive contributions, 78 tackles, blocked 29 shots, and won 164 duels last campaign in the Championship.

As another option in the middle of the park to Morsy, Kristi Montgomery, Jake Garrett, and Adam Forshaw, Docherty on a free transfer ought to be a no-brainer for Blackburn, as Mowbray could do with his bite in the middle of the park and then some.

Tony Mowbray must search for further reinforcements at Blackburn Rovers despite the transfer deadline

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Mowbray will have been well aware of the lack of funds available to him when taking the Blackburn job this summer, but even he will be disappointed at just how little investment has been put into the club.

Nevertheless, there is no time for sulking, as Mowbray will know the task laid out in front of him, though his fortunes could be better helped with the addition of Docherty.

As a highly experienced option in the middle of the park in his physical prime, the Scot would be an excellent addition, and if they can get a deal for Smallbone over the line as well, Rovers' summer won't look too bad after all.