Blackburn Rovers' £1.1m deal with Sheffield United was one to forget: View | OneFootball

It did not work out for Jordan Slew at Blackburn Rovers after his big money move from Sheffield United in 2011.

Blackburn Rovers will be hoping for a much-improved season in the Championship next term.

John Eustace replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson as Rovers boss in February, and he guided the club to safety on the final day of the season after an incredibly turbulent campaign.

Blackburn supporters will be keen to see their side stay clear of any relegation danger next season, but with Eustace likely to be operating under financial restrictions after recent budget cuts by the club's owners, it could be another challenging year.

The current situation at Ewood Park is a long way from Rovers' glory days in the Premier League, and they have now been out of the top flight for 12 years.

Blackburn were relegated from the Premier League in the 2011-12 season under Steve Kean, and while the Scotsman was unpopular among the fan base, poor recruitment also played a role in the club's decline.

Perhaps no signing that season was more underwhelming than Jordan Slew, who joined Rovers from Sheffield United for a fee of £1.1 million in August 2011.

Jordan Slew signing was a failure for Blackburn Rovers

It is easy to see why Blackburn took a gamble on Slew, given the potential he showed during the early stages of his career with the Blades.

Slew had scored three goals in 14 senior appearances for United, and he also played a crucial role as the academy team reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in the 2010-11 season.

The striker's impressive performances at Bramall Lane earned him international recognition, and he made two substitute appearances for England U19s in 2011.

Rovers were not the first Premier League team to take an interest in Slew, with Fulham having a £500,000 bid rejected months before he completed his move to Ewood Park.

Slew revealed that the opportunity to join Blackburn was too good to turn down, and he stated that he was determined to "fight for a first team spot", while Kean said that he had "a great chance to play" in the top flight.

After a frustrating start to life in Lancashire, Slew finally made his debut for Rovers as a substitute in the 3-2 win at Manchester United in December 2011, and he came off the bench once again against Newcastle United in the FA Cup the following week.

Slew would have been hoping to establish himself in the first team after making his breakthrough, but it did not work out that way, and he was loaned out to Stevenage in March 2012.

Blackburn were relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, but despite that, Slew was not given an opportunity, and over the next three years he would have spells out on loan with Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, Ross County and Port Vale.

Slew's contract was terminated by mutual consent in January 2015 after making just two senior appearances for Rovers, and it is fair to say that he did not repay the club's investment in him.

Jordan Slew career post-Blackburn

The 31-year-old has struggled to settle since leaving Ewood Park, and he has had stints with Cambridge United, Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle, Rochdale, Radcliffe Borough, Boston United, Ashton United, Morecambe and Halifax Town.

Slew returned to Morecambe for a second spell last summer, but despite scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 51 appearances for the Shrimps last season, he was released at the end of the campaign.

His departure was announced before the appointment of Derek Adams earlier this month, and given that Adams has signed him on four occasions previously, it would be no surprise if he was offered a new contract at the Mazuma Stadium.

Slew has gone on to enjoy a decent career in the lower leagues, and while he admitted he was disappointed with his lack of game time at Blackburn, he insists he has no regrets over joining the club.

"No regrets at all over the decision," Slew told The Athletic in September 2021. "Blackburn are an amazing club. I’d loved to have played more there but I met some great people who I still speak to today. A fantastic experience."