Blackburn Rovers will not sign Ryotara Ito as a free agent due to a medical issue.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that the 28-year-old has completed his physical before joining Ewood Park as a free agent.

While the transfer market closed on September 1, clubs can still register unattached players as long as they have room in their 25-man rosters.

Ito is presently available after leaving Belgian side Sint-Truiden in the summer after his contract expired.

The Japan international competed in the Pro League for three seasons, earning 104 appearances, 35 of which came in 2025/26 when the squad placed third in the table.

This was the midfielder’s first appearance in European football after rising through the levels in his home Japan.

Ryotara Ito – Sint-Truiden league goals and appearances (source: Fbref.com)

Season

Appearances (starts)

Goals (Assists).

2023-24

36 (30)

7 (4)

2024-25

33 (27)

2 (3)

2025-26

35 (34)

10 (5)

Tony Mowbray provides Blackburn transfer update.

Mowbray has hinted that Blackburn’s plan to recruit Ito would not go ahead, despite earlier this week’s optimism that the move was almost complete.

The 62-year-old left room for some uncertainty in the matter, implying that it could still be finished, but that he is sceptical about bringing in the Japanese talent.

“I genuinely don’t know,” Mowbray told Andy Bayes on X.

Mowbray has hinted that Blackburn’s plan to recruit Ito would not go ahead, despite earlier this week’s optimism that the move was almost complete.

The 62-year-old left room for some uncertainty in the matter, implying that it could still be finished, but that he is sceptical about bringing in the Japanese talent.

“I genuinely don’t know,” Mowbray told Andy Bayes on X.

This is his second spell in command of the Lancashire club, and he managed the signing of four new players in the transfer market, including a permanent move for Moussa Baradji.

Gady Beyuku, Jayden Fevrier, and Sam Morsy have also joined Rovers, who nearly avoided relegation last season.

Blackburn have won just one of their first six league games this season, earning five points out of a possible 18, placing them 18th in the table.

How Blackburn Rovers fans responded to the transfer setback.

Blackburn fans are upset with the owners and the recruitment staff, especially Rudy Gestede, the director of football.

Ryotara Ito’s move is simply the latest Blackburn catastrophe.

Blackburn were fortunate to avoid relegation last season under Michael O’Neill, so it’s no surprise that they’ve had a difficult start to this season.

Years of mismanagement and a lack of investment have put Rovers in a tough position, and losing out on Ito would be the latest setback.

Mowbray deserves to be supported by the owners, but he is left without the means to compete in the Championship.

Fans’ patience is being tried, and the club may face legal action in the near future unless big changes are made behind the scenes.