Former Brighton winger Elliott Bennett is disappointed with the way his time at Blackburn ended but is looking forward to what the future holds for him at Shrewsbury.

The 32-year-old saw his five-and-a-half-year spell at Rovers come to end on Thursday evening and he has now joined League One Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal.

In his time at Blackburn, Bennett made 192 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 19 assists.

However, what proved to be his final season at the Championship side did not go as he would have planned.

He made just 11 appearances in all competitions for Rovers, due to having surgery on his ankle which saw him miss 24 games between October and February.

But Bennett admits last season was tough.

He told The Argus: “It has been tricky, it has been difficult for a lot of people in terms of what has been going on with Covid, no fans and all that kind of stuff. I got my injury and my ankle feels better than it ever has done if I am being honest, I feel like I have got a new ankle now.

“But unfortunately, I couldn’t force my way into the team at the back end of the season, I didn’t play as many games as I like and that is obviously disappointing.

“At the same time the games are what they are, you get to a certain age and at some point, your influence at a certain place can dwindle.

He added: “I have had an absolutely amazing time at Blackburn.

“I have had an amazing five-and-a-half years there, which is the longest I have been at a football club since when I was younger at Wolves.

“I have got a lot of really good memories, but in football and life things change, life moves on and football moves on.

“I didn’t play as much as I wanted to and I didn’t get to say goodbye to the people that matter at the football clubs which are the fans.

“But that is just the way life is, everything moves on and I just look forward to what happens next.”

The winger believes he still has plenty to offer despite his age.

He said: “I am still confident in my own ability; I am still confident in what I bring to any football club and for me now it is all about seeing what the future holds.

“I just want to enjoy however many years I have got left in the game because I love playing this game and want to keep playing as long as I possibly can.”

Bennett will now link up with his former manager and Steve Cotterill at League One side, Shrewsbury.

He played under him at Bristol City when he was on loan there in the 2015-16 season.

Prior to Cotterill’s sacking in January 2016, Bennett made 15 appearances, which included starting in their 2-1 defeat to Albion at the Amex in October 2015, with Bobby Zamora scoring the winner.

But Cotterill is delighted to have secured the services of Bennett.

He told the club’s website: “I’ve know Elliott for a long time, I had him at Bristol City; I know what I am getting with him. It’s five years on since I had him but he’s a good leader and a good lad.

“He crosses the ball really well and he’s an excellent professional. He will be able to educate our younger players in the dressing room.

“I like to have one or two ‘go to’ experienced boys around my teams. I am hoping he can come in and be a good influence in and around the team.

“His best position is out on the wide. He can play wide-right or as a wing-back. His crossing ability is great and he can cross with both feet.

“We are delighted to have him on board and it was a pleasure seeing him today (Thursday).”