Rotherham United sign goalkeeper Josh Vickers after Lewis Price departure

The former Lincoln City man has agreed a season-long deal and accepts he initially comes into Paul Warne's squad only as back-up to Jamal Blackman and Viktor Johansson.

Price, who had been at AESSEAL New York Stadium since 2016, is thought to have ended his playing career by taking up a non-playing role with a club away from South Yorkshire.

Vickers, aged 24, trained with Rotherham in the summer but wasn't offered a contract and had been a free agent after failing to fix himself up with another team.

"There was never a deal for him because I had my goalkeeping department boxed off," said manager Paul Warne.

"Josh hadn't got himself a number-one role at a club that he wanted, so he was available. When Pricey left, it was an absolute no-brainer for me to bring Josh in. It is the healthiest goalkeeping department I have had.

"I have told him that he is third in the pecking order. I haven't lied to him."

The Millers have confirmed they will be adding Vickers' name to the squad they have submitted to the EFL, taking it to its 25-player limit.

That means a move for a free-agent midfield reinforcement following Shaun MacDonald's leg break now appears to be off. Warne said this morning he was hoping to speak to a target next week.

Thirty-six-year-old Price made only 29 appearances for Rotherham in four seasons but was a huge influence in the dressing room.

"Pricey had a massive input into the players and the behaviour around the place," Warne said. "He clipped people's wings when they were out of order.

"He's a great pro, an unbelievable pro who I think people looked up to. He's a really good player. He's had a good career. He's really sad that it's finished. He is someone who is, fundamentally, a good man, a really good bloke."

Price had signed a one-year deal at the end of last season but hadn't been named in the 24-man squad that Rotherham originally gave to the EFL in October because the Millers knew he may be leaving.