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xNews Links Summer 2009
 
You will find the full text of ALL the stories at the websites listed and linked
Keeping an eye on the latest stories - all Summer long
Paul Ince INCE RETURNS .... TO THE DONS
MK get their man back

Blackburn Rovers may not have had much luck last season with Paul Ince - but the former Manager certainly was a hit at MK Dons. And news tonight confirms that Ince is to return to the club and have a second spell as their manager of the league one outfit. Paul brought Keith Andrews to Blackburn, but despite his success at the lower level, wasn't able to convert that to the top tier. The Don's Chairman Pete Winkelman told the club's website "He enjoyed incredible success during his first spell with us and showed himself more than worthy of a shot at the Premier League. His achievements and the manner in which he left meant we had to see him before we even considered anyone else and it was obvious straight away that the chemistry was still there. He remains one of the most talented young managers in this country and I'm enormously excited about what he can help us achieve."

ALSO IN THE NEWS TONIGHT
Rovers had been linked with a possible move for ex Newcastle striker Michael Owen, but Big Sam said he had far too many injuries ... However following mass press speculation last night, the 29 year old ex Liverpool player has agreed terms with Manchester United! The BBC Sports website Says he was surprised to be asked:-

"I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands."

MEANWHILE AT ROVERS
There's further speculation that Sam might be trying to attract the once £30 million man Christian Vieri. He's now 35, but was "rated as the world’s best striker, coveted by all the big clubs in world football, and his international record for Italy stands up to most with 23 goals in 43 games" It's a funny old game! (July 3rd 2009)
News Links bbc.co.uk (Paul Ince) ALSO bbc.co.uk (Michael Owen) AND sport.co.uk (Vieri)

Steven N'Zonzi.
STEVEN N'ZONZI
FOUR YEARS FOR Z'ZONZI
French Star is number four
As suggested on Monday - Backburn have now completed the signing of the youngster dubbed 'The new Viera'. Steven N'Zonzi has joined Rovers for an undisclosed fee and was with relegated French side Amiens last season. Big Sam had promised to find replacements for many of the key players who departed at the end of last season - and with the 20 year old midfielder, another slot could have been filled. He'll still need to find a striker to replace Roque - but it's still 6 weeks 'till the new season starts, despite the fact that this week sees teams return for pre-season training.
Rovers.co.uk say that roversworld will have an exclusive interview with the new boy on the website very soon. Welcome! (June 20th 2009)
News Links rovers.co.uk (full story) AND bbc.co.uk
Steve N'Zonzi at Ewood (c) BRFC CLIICK  to visit rovers.co.uk


Lars Jacobsen
LARS JACOBSEN
FROM EVERTON TO EWOOD
Danish Defender latest signing
Blackburn Rovers have announced their latest signing - 29 year old Lars Jacobsen from Everton. He's the third player to join the team this summer, with news last week that Gael Givet had made his loan permanent and
Elrio van Heerden back at the start of June. Lars is the first choice right full back for the Danish national side, and spent last season with Everton where he had a one year deal. However he seems to have been beset with injury and failed to play until the final few months. He's joined Rovers on a two year deal and the BBC say he'll 'fill the gap left by the departure of Andre Ooijer '
Jacobsen already has 22 international caps, and the Rovers website say that if he has a good season with Rovers he should be able to look forward to a place with Denmark at next years World Cup. Welcome (June 29th 2009)
News Links rovers.co.uk AND bbc.co.uk

Steven N'Zonzi.
STEVEN N'ZONZI
NEW VIERA ON HIS WAY TO EWOOD
French midfielder Steven N'Zonzi
SKY Sports reports that Big Sam looks to have beaten other Premier League clubs to doing a deal with Amiens to bring Steven N'Zonzi to Blackburn this Summer. According to SKY, the 20 year old midfielder has already been labeled as the next Patrick Vieira! They say Rovers had been linked with the youngster earlier in the month. The Daily Mail say he's likely to cost around 500,000 Euros. Portsmouth Were also keen of the player, but Rovers seem to have won the chase with Sam Allardyce agreeing personal terms with N'Zonzi. (June 29th 2009)
News Links skysports.com (full story)

Ruud van Nistelrooy
RUUD WAN
NISTELRO0Y
RUUD BOY FOR ROVERS??
Ruud van Nistelrooy amazing link
Various papers and websites have got hold of the story linking former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy with a move to Blackburn Rovers. And before you think - 'that's man! Big Sam is quoted on BBC Sport:- "Who'd have thought Bolton would get Anelka? Nobody. It would be a major coup if I could pull it off." It certainly would, and BBC Sport suggests that if Real Madrid could be persuaded to part with the striker, the transfer fee could be as little as £1.5million .. but with a hefty wages bill!! Sam says:- "The sort of salary he would be on at Real Madrid may be beyond us. But maybe he wants to come and play in England again and take less of a salary - then we'd be interested."

The Rovers manager also discounts thought of a move for Michael Owen from Newcastle saying "I need a striker that's going to be available for 30 games next season. That's not happened for Michael over the last four years." (June 27th 2009)
News Links bbc.co.uk (full story)

Gael Givet
GAEL GIVET
GIVET NOW A ROVERS PLAYER
Gael signs four year deal
Gael Givet came from Marseille on loan to Rovers last season, and today the club completed the signing of the defender for a reported £3.5 million. He arrived at Ewood in the January window and went on to make 16 appearances, and many admirers. Sam Allardyce told BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE:- "It is a critical signing and there is more to come from him. No-one really knew who he was when I brought him in - but I did. He came in and made a massive contribution".
The signing looked likely some weeks ago, but now some players have left the Manager is in a position to spend some of the money. However Big Sam admitted:- "Some of the money that has been created has gone to the bank and what money is left will come in for new players. You don't need to be a football manager to know what we need first and that is a striker. But we do need to strengthen in other areas too, including the young professionals - 21 players have left since I've been here including Aaron Mokoena, Danny Simpson, Carlos Villanueva, Tugay and Roque Santa Cruz."
You can read more of Sam's thoughts on the clubs official website (link below) (June 26th 2009)
News Links bbc.co.uk/lancashire ALSO rovers.o.uk

Peter Crouch
PETER CROUCH
COULD CROUCH COME?
Rovers linked with Portsmouth Striker
The Daily Star believes that Blackburn could be willing to pay up to £10 million to bring Peter Crouch to Ewood Park. Pompey paid Liverpool £11 million to take the big boy South ... The thoughts of him along side Chris Samba would frighten more than a few defenses!! Needless to say, with the departure of Roque and Derbs - the papers will try very hard to spend Rovers money for them!
Meanwhile SKY SPORTS say that Mattias Bjarsmyr could leave IFK Gothenburg in favour of Blackburn. With little else to go on SKY say "Previously the likes of Birmingham, Blackburn, Celtic and Club Brugge have also been linked" It's been a hot Mid Summers day ... and the rumours continue to heat up! (June 24th 2009)

Franco di Santo
FRANCO DI SANTO
LOAN LOOKS LIKELY
Season-long loan deal for Di Santo
The Independent reports that Blackburn Rovers look close to doing a deal that would bring 20 year old Argentine striker Franco Di Santo to Ewood next season. The paper says that new Chelsea Manager Carlo Ancelotti, will agree to the release on loan for a season. The London club seem keen to give the youngster a chance to get some serious Premier League Experience. The paper say that a deal was all but secured before Guus Hiddink's departure ... and that it should be in place before Rovers kick off their campaign against Manchester City. (June 24th 2009)
News Links theindependent.co.uk


Matt Derbyshire
MATT DERBYSHIRE
MATT MOVES OUT
Olympiakos sign Derbs
The official Blackburn Rovers website have confirmed that Rovers favourite Matt Derbyshire has completed his move back to Greece where he had a great loan spell last season. Matt has signed a four year deal with the Champions - and it's a great chance for him and his young family. He's been at Rovers since 2003 (see below) when he signed aged just 17 from Great Harwood Town. We wish him every success for the future. (June 23rd 2009)

Roque Santa Cruz
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ
SANTA SIGNS FOR CITY
Four year deal for Rovers striker
As expected Manchester City have completed the signing of Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers. He's signed a 4 year deal reuniting him with Mark Hughes who brought him to Rovers from Germany. In his two years at Ewood the Paraguayan scored 29 goals from 70 appearances. His Rovers contract would have run 'till 2012, but he made it clear last season that his heart was away from Blackburn. Big Sam was less than impressed with some comments attributed to Roque in the media - reproduced in the UK. Santa Cruz came to the club for £3.5 million, and leaves for a figure close to £18 million. Roque's younger brother Julio remains at Blackburn.
The player told the official Man City website:- "I'm very happy to have signed for City - it's been close to happening for a while, and now I can just focus on football and concentrate on doing my best for the club. I know the kind of football Mark Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful. Those are always my thoughts as well, so knowing what he wants was a big factor in coming here, because I know the club is going in the right direction."
The legacy for Blackburn is a transfer kitty that allows Sam to make some big summer signings. Goodbye RSC! (June 22nd 2009)
News Links rovers.co.uk ALSO mcfc.co.uk

Kevin Davies in 1998
KEVIN DAVIES
COULD KEVIN RETURN?
Bolton star linked with Blackburn return
A number of sources suggest that Big Sam might fancy being re-united with Bolton striker Kevin Davies. Hull City have also expressed an interest - but Rovers might seem a fascinating option for the 32 year old. Last time he was at Ewood, the big money move from Southampton didn't work out. Illness plagued much of his time at the club, and he only managed 1 goal in 24 appearances! To rub salt into the wounds - Rovers lost James Beatie in the move AND were relegated at the end of the season! He returned to Southampton and Rovers did much better business bringing in Egil Østenstad. Kevin's Bolton career has been far more successful, and vitalfootball.co.uk point out that Roques move and cash would give Sam the resources to do the deal.

ALSO in the Sundays, suggestions that another former Bolton boy - now at Newcastle - Kevin Nolan could also be making a move back to his old boss at Blackburn (June 21st 2009)

News Links vitalfotball.co.uk AND soccervoice.com

Roque Santa Cruz
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ
ROQUE ROAD TO EASTLANDS
£18 Million for want away striker??
The mail-online reports this morning that Manchester City have agreed a fee with Blackburn Rovers for Roque Santa Cruz. And according to the website, Rovers could be £18 million better off if the deal goes through. The report say the transfer fee would only be £15 million, but the rest would depend on appearances and City's success.
The story could still run and run, with Mark Hughes keen to build big at the Blue side of Manchester.
Sparky signed Roque for Blackburn from Bayern Munich for under £4 million in 2007. He had a great first season, scoring 23 goals for Rovers. (June 19th 2009)
UPDATE 1
Rovers agre fee with City
(June 19th 2009)
UPDATE 2
Roque due for Medical at Manchester City Today - Monday 22nd June ... SETANTA say "If he completes his medical then it is believed the 27-year-old will move for a fee of £18 million, reflecting his prolific debut season in England when he scored 19 league goals in the 2007-2008 campaign."
News Links dailymail.co.uk ALSO setanta.com

Matt Derbyshire
MATT DERBYSHIRE
DERBS TO DEPART
Olympiakos to be new home for Matt
Many fans will be sad to read the Rovers seem to have agreed a fee with Greek side Olympiakos which will allow Matt Derbyshire to leave the club. Always a firm favourite, the local lad spent half of last season on loan in Greece, and when it became clear that they would rather like to make the deal permanent, Matt said so did he. Now BBC Sport report that Blackburn have agreed a fee thought to be in the region of £3 million for the striker. And rovers.co.uk in a very brief statement confirms that Derbs has been given permission to talk to the Greek side.
Matt was born in Blackburn in 1986, and came to Rovers from Great Harwood Town in 2003. He became a father of last year and took his wife and young family out to Greece for his loan spell. (June 18th 2009)

Matt Derbyshire 2003
Another Matt in the camp ... And this ones a true local lad! Rovers website confirms the signing of the 17 year old striker Matt Derbyshire from Great Harwood Town. Matt went to the same school as Paul Gallgher. Rovers have now also agreed to play a pre-season friendly at the showground next year. (27th Nov 03) FULL Story rovers.co.uk

ARCHIVE STORY OF DERBYSHIRE'S ARRIVAL IN 2003


News Links
bbc.co.uk (full story)


August 2009 HOME AT LAST ...
Rovers to start with a North West derby at Ewood
So the new fixtures are out, and for the first time in a long time Blackburn will start their season at home .. and it will be against former Rovers Manager Mark Hughes! He might even bring back Roque if his move to Eastlands goes ahead ... Last year Rovers started away with a 3-2 win at Everton, and the year before with a 2-1 win at Middlesbro'. The game will be played on Saturday August 15th, and then we should be away before West Ham and new boys Wolves visit Ewood Park. The BIG one ... Burnley ... is at the moment scheduled for Saturday October 17th ... but like all initial fixtures, is subject to change. It's away at Wigan on Boxing Day and at home to Sunderland on December 28th. The Season ends earlier with the 2010 World Cup next summer - so Rovers will be away on May 9th at Aston Villa, and will play Arsenal as their final home game of the campaign on May 1st.

You can see a full list of all the fixtures via bbc.co.uk and at rovers.co.uk (click the links) (June 17th 2009)

BRFC Logo NEW SEASON - NEW FIXTURES
Wednesday 17th June 2009

The new fixtures for next season are released on Wednesday June 17th at 10:00. They will of course provide news of Rovers first top flight encounters with Burnley ... not to mention a load of other North West derby games. Your can see the list for yourself by CLICKING THIS LINK to the Blackburn Rovers fixtures page at bbc.co.uk. Already listed are the confirmed pre-season friendlies, including Hibernian at Ewood on August 5th. (June 16th 2009)
News Links bbc.co.uk (full Rovers Fixtures season 2009-2010)

Roque Santa Cruz
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ
MEDICAL FOR ROQUE ??
City could make their move
According to "The news of the world" Mark Hughes hope to be re-united with Roque Santa Cruz this week at Manchester City. However the £15 million move might have a stumbling block ... the report goes on to say IF he passes a medical. Roque had problems before he came to Ewood - going back to Bayern Munich. And of course the striker has not played since the beginning of March. If Rovers do accept the offer - it would fall well short of the £18 million they rejected in January ... and the £20 million thought to be needed to trigger an exit clause.
It could be an important week for Blackburn - certainly the money would be welcomed by Big Sam as he hopes to bring in new talent on a limited budget. (June 14th 2009)
News Links newsoftheworld.co.uk (full story)

Kenny & Ray 1995
KENNY & RAY
THE team - Rovers title winners 1994-5
Some summer sunshine - Rovers title winners 1994-95
From the archives - a few memories to share
and faces to remember

(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

BRFC Logo YOUNG KEEPER SIGNS
Nikos Giannakopoulos from Asteras Tripolis
Various sources report that Rovers have signed the services of 16 year old Greek keeper Nikos Giannakopoulos fro just £52K with a 30% sell on clause for Asteras Tripolis. SKY sports say that the youngster came on trail at Blackburn a few weeks ago. He certainly seems full of confidence with SKY quoting the teenager saying "I know that my life will change. I feel ready to realise my dream playing for Rovers. I will try my best to show my quality and stay many years in England. The people of Blackburn showed me how much they trust me and they told me that I have the credentials to succeed. They told me that with hard work I will have the chance to play at the first team very soon. I know the English language so I think it's not going to be so difficult for me to adjust to the English way of life."
Which isn't bad for such a young talent ... (June 9th 2009)

News Links skyports.com

Roque Santa Cruz
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ

REDKNAPP FOR ROQUE
Could Spurs get a bargain buy?
Many sites and papers report that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is keen to snap up Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz for a cut price £10 million. ClubCall.com quote the Spurs boss as saying:- "If I can get the players I want we'll have a terrific team. I reckon it will take £30m to get them but I'll have to balance the books by selling." But he also admits that he'll have to sell before he can buy. Meanwhile the News of the World say Roque Santa Cruz is "top of Harry Redknapp's summer shopping list." When Manchester City showed keen interest in Santa Cruz - the Summer sale price started at £20 million! They seem to have cooled on the buy.
Other striker news in the Sundays suggests that Stoke City, Sunderland and Blackburn are all now keen on Alan Smith. The paper says "Smith, 28, is paid about £60,000 a week at St. James Park and Toon owner Mike Ashley will listen to offers." (June 7th 2009)
News Links
clubcall.com ALSO mirror.co.uk


Matt Derbyshire
MATT DERBYSHIRE
STRIKERS UPDATE
Derbs and Smith speculation
The Daily Mail report that Big Sam is keen to capture Alan Smith from relegated Newcastle United - and at the same time has rejected an offer for Matt Derbyshire.
There are mixed messages as the paper also says that Sam sees Smith as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, who has also been quoted in other media as 'going nowhere' at present. The Mail says that Sam hopes to bring the Newcastle man to Ewood with a £2.5 million bid, and that he's rejected a £2m offer from Olympiakos for Derbs. The papers and websites are full of summer speculation ... much of it just that! (June 4th 2009)
News Links dailymail.co.uk (full story)

Elrio van Heerden
ELRIO van HEERDEN
ROVERS FIRST SUMMER SIGNING
South African Star signs for Sam
Blackburn Rovers have announced the first summer signing, Cape Town born Elrio van Heerden. The tip off came from the same agent who looks after Aaron and Benni - and with the former departing at the end of the season finding another talented South African could be good business. Not only that, but the youngster who is 26 next month can be quite a versatile midfielder. Talking to the Rovers official website, Big Sam says he's delighted with his capture:- "He was here on Monday and flew through our Premier League standard tests ... We've signed a very talented young man, I think it is a great addition".
The youngster has signed a two year deal and comes on a free transfer from Belgian side Club Brugge - having spent the last three years there. He started his senior playing days at FC Copenhagen in Denmark. Sam expects his new boy to take a while to get up to Premier League speed, but is optimistic that he will be a valuable player and will make an impact as the season develops. It's understood that he'll be playing for South Africa this summer in the Confederations Cup. (June 2nd 2009)
News Links rovers.co.uk (full story) ALSO bbc.co.uk AND wikipedia.org

Tugay
TUGAY

CITY COACHING CHALLENGE for TUGAY ??
Rovers legend heads back to the region
After a massive send off at Ewood Park - Tugay returned to Turkey where we presumed he would start his retirement. But apparently not! According to the Lancashire Telegraph he already has plans to return next season to team up with his former Manager Mark Hughes at Manchester City. There was always speculation that Tugay would return to Ewood after hanging up his boots - but that was when Sparky was in charge. Big Sam pointed out some weeks ago that with no coaching credentials opportunities were limited for that option. The paper quote NTV and the Turk back home saying: "I made an agreement with Manchester City and will work as a coach. To work there will be a huge step for me. When I feel strong enough, then I will begin to work as a technical director."
There's no confirmation from Eastlands. (June 2nd 2009)
News Links lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

and to see all the other stories from earlier this year - click here to visit the archive
including the end of the season in the MAY 2009 archive
Final Table (CLICK FOR FULL   PERMIER LEAGUIE  2008-2009)
How Last Season Ended - Click to see full table
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