'It's nice to feel wanted': Long-time Rotherham target Curtis Tilt on his move from Blackpool to South Yorkshire

The centre back had been a long-time target of Rotherham boss Paul Warne, who had initially come close to signing him before the season got underway.

But the Millers finally got their man on transfer deadline day, the defender making the move to South Yorkshire for an undisclosed fee.

Speaking after completing his move on Friday, Tilt said: “I’m delighted to get it over the line.

“It’s been a long day but I’m glad to get it all wrapped up before the 11pm deadline.

“It’s nice to know you’re wanted by people, it’s a good feeling.

“To be honest, I try and stay out of all the speculation which there was a bit of during the summer.

“It’s between the two clubs to sort that so my job is just to concentrate on my football.

“The first I heard about it was when Rotherham spoke to Blackpool on Thursday.”

Tilt’s departure brings an end to his three-year stay at Bloomfield Road, where the defender made 111 appearances, scoring once.

But Tilt will still recognise a couple of familiar faces at the New York Stadium.

“I still keep in regular contact with both Clark Robertson and Kyle Vassell,” Tilt added.

“Clark, we played together at centre half at Blackpool and we had a good partnership.

“Kyle Vassell is back in form at the minute and scoring goals, so it’s good to see he’s back to where he wants to be.

“I spoke to both of them before I made the move and they told me what a good club it is, how the gaffer works and what the team spirit is like. That just made my decision easier.”

Tilt joins a side that currently lead the way in League One, the Millers sitting three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers in second.

The 28-year-old is under no illusion to how difficult it will be to cement his place in Warne’s starting line-up.

“I challenge myself to get into the team,” Tilt said. “Obviously the lads are winning at the moment so I will just come here and fight for my spot.

“Rotherham are top of the league at the moment and fingers crossed they can get over the line and I can help them get to the Championship.”

Tilt’s future at Bloomfield Road had been a long-running saga stretching back a couple of years.

He had previously been the subject of serious interest from Ipswich Town in 2018, when former manager Gary Bowyer slapped a £1m asking price on the defender’s head.

Portsmouth were another club to keep tabs on the centre back in previous transfer windows.

The defender was offered a new contract at Blackpool during the summer but the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement, talks eventually breaking down.

Since then, Tilt had made no secret of his desire to seek a new club.

A 2017 signing from Wrexham, Tilt made his Football League bow with the Seasiders, going on to make 111 appearances for the club, scoring once.