Blackburn Rovers

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Rovers seal Rigters swoop

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the signing of Dutch striker Maceo Rigters.

Skysports.com exclusively revealed on Monday that Rigters was in England and talking with Rovers.

Now the club have confirmed the signing of the 23-year-old on a four-year deal.

Celtic, Norwich and Newcastle all held out hope that they could land Rigters - but Blackburn have won the race for the coveted youngster.

Rovers have paid an undisclosed fee to the player's previous club NAC Breda - but it is understood to be less than £1million due to a clause in his contract.

The Rigters deal was the second transfer completed within 24 hours by Rovers after they announced the capture of Faroe Islands keeper Gunnar Nielsen.

Source: Skysports

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Blackburn have turned down a bid from Fulham for Jason Roberts.The news alerted Fulham and Lawrie Sanchez is believed to have offered £2.5million.

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Nelsen nets new Rovers deal

Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen has signed a new five-year contract.

Nelsen has impressed for Rovers since joining the club in January 2005 from Major League Soccer side DC United.

He has made 75 appearances for Mark Hughes' men, although he missed the first half of last season through injury.

But he returned with a string of solid performances and Hughes was buoyed by the New Zealand international's decision to stay until 2012.

"I'm delighted for the club and for Ryan," Hughes told the club's official website.

"He's my captain and will be very influential in helping to shape the progress of the club."

Rovers chairman John Williams also feels the extension for the 29-year-old will have a major influence on the club.

Williams said: "Ryan is a top man on and off the field.

"The positive impact of this deal cannot be underestimated."

Source: Skysports

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Rovers to step up Bellamy interest

Blackburn Rovers are expected to step up their interest in Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy now that the Reds have completed the signing of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.

Hughes is keen to bring the fiery Welshman back to Ewood after he proved a smash hit during his first spell with the club, and Torres' arrival at Anfield may persuade Liverpool to sell.

Aston Villa and West Ham are also interested in the former Newcastle striker, who bagged 17 goals in 33 appearances during his 12-month stint with Rovers, but Bellamy has played some of the best football of his career under Hughes and the Blackburn boss hopes that may help to lure him back.

A deal is still a long way off as Liverpool have yet to indicate whether the striker is available, and, crucially, how much they would want for him.

For the time being, Hughes is more focused on the job of keeping the existing strikers he already has at the club.

Yesterday, Rovers rejected an offer from Fulham for Jason Roberts.

The Cottagers are thought to have tabled a bid in the region of £2.5 million for the former Wigan frontman, but that was instantly rejected, with Rovers insisting the 29-year-old is not for sale'.

A Rovers spokesman told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We've had an offer for Jason Roberts but we are not interested in selling him."

Elsewhere, West Bromwich Albion are the latest club to register an interest in defender Andy Todd.

Hawthorns chief Tony Mowbray is keen to add the experienced stopper to his Championship squad because he is poised to lose Paul McShane and Paul Robinson to Sunderland.

But the Albion boss faces competition for Todd's signature, with Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Derby County and Coventry also thought to be interested in the player.

Todd's agent, Peter Harrison, said: "West Brom have shown an interest in Andy and we've had initial talks but that's as far as it's gone.

"He's got one year left on his contract but he wants to leave (Blackburn) so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"We are in discussions to try and get Andy a move.

"West Brom are one of the clubs interested, along with Derby."

Harrison met with Rovers officials on Monday to discuss the options open to Todd, and the Lancashire Telegraph can confirm that the club did receive a verbal offer for the player, which was deemed unacceptable.

However, further developments are expected in the next few days, with Rovers willing to let the player go for a fee in the region of £800,000.

Source: Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn Citizen - the newspaper for our community. www.blackburncitizen.co.uk

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Blackburn's Savage wants Wrexham job

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage has ambitions of managing Wrexham.

"Hopefully one day I'll play for Wrexham and maybe even be the manager," Savage told BBC Sport after playing in Tuesday's friendly at the Racecourse.

"I used to stand in the Kop watching them every home game. I love the club.

"I was delighted when they stayed up last season and I still look for their results every week. Hopefully they can get more money in and go higher."

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Cardiff to bid for Blackburn's Jeffers

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is planning a bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Francis Jeffers.

Jones is keen to snap up £600,000-rated striker Jeffers, 26, who snubbed an Ipswich move because of the cash on offer.

The Bluebirds may be able to give Jeffers more, and also provide the kind of stage that enabled Sunderland-bound Michael Chopra to turn his career around.

Source: tribalfootball.com

I think Rovers will be happy to get rid of his wages.

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Peter Ridsdale has rubbished reports linking Francis Jeffers with a move to Cardiff.

It will not be easy for Rovers to get rid of him.

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Blackburn in talks for Everton's Beattie

Blackburn Rovers are in talks with Everton striker James Beattie.

The Daily Telegraph says Beattie's uncertain future at Everton could come to an end if Mark Hughes follows up his interest in the former Southampton striker. Talks have already taken place.

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Everton are seeking £4 million for striker James Beattie.Blackburn have made an official inquiry for the striker and were hopeful of getting him for around £2.5m.I doubt Blackburn can afford him I'm afraid.

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Blackburn Rovers have handed trials to two young Cercle Brugge players.Rovers have a collaboration agreement with Cercle and manager Mark Hughes is currently running the rule over youngsters Iwein Catteeuw and Jens Vandamme.

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Blackburn to bid for West Ham striker Zamora

Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes is ready to bid for West Ham striker Bobby Zamora.

The Mirror says Hughes has been priced out of moves for James Beattie and Roque Santa Cruz and feels former Tottenham hitman Zamora is more within his price range.

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Blackburn boss Hughes targets striker signing

Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes hopes to add a new striker to his squad before the start of the season.

Hughes said: "We're looking at players and I'd like to bring another striker in to complement the players I already have.

"Obviously strikers more often than not will win you games and I'd be more comfortable with another experienced striker in the building to go along with the ones I've already got.

"Most managers do have a shortlist at this time of year. How realistic they are is open to debate.

"But we're in the mix and we're making enquiries, we're still hopeful and there's plenty of time left in the window.

"As we stand, even if I didn't do any more business, I'd still be quite comfortable but we would like to bring another striker in."

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Hughes: Jeffers has Blackburn future

Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes expects Francis Jeffers to stay and fight for his place after a move to Championship club Ipswich broke down last week.

The 26-year-old joined Rovers on a two-year deal last summer but had a spell on loan with the Tractor Boys after failing to make an impression on Hughes' first-team.

He made just three Premiership starts last term and, despite adding Maceo Rigters this summer, Hughes is still looking for another striker.

But Hughes does not want Jeffers to go out on loan again, hinting he would only consider a permanent deal as a resolution to the situation.

He continued: "He's still part of our plans but it's just going to be a little bit more difficult for Franny to break through.

"But he's here and he's our player and I won't be looking to send him out on loan, he'll be here and trying to get in the side."

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Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has reiterated to striker Benni McCarthy that he is not leaving Ewood Park.