Roque Santa Cruz seals Blackburn Rovers return

Blackburn Rovers have resigned former striker Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old Paraguay international, who is available to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, completed a medical at the club’s training ground on Friday morning. “I feel like I am coming home – this has been the easiest decision of my career,” said Santa Cruz.

City signed the forward, who scored 29 goals over two seasons for Rovers, for £17.5m in 2009 but he failed to make an impact at Eastlands after struggling with injuries.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean says he is delighted to have sealed Santa Cruz’s return to bolster Rovers’ attacking options.

“When he was here first time he had a fantastic time and showed his quality,” said Kean. “I think he feels he has got a little bit of business to finish. Hopefully he will go and do that until the end of the season.

“He has got an infectious personality and was very popular here first time around. I’m sure he will be this time. He’s coming back to a place that was special to him and I am sure he is going to deliver as good if not better.”

Blackburn are expected to pay the majority of Santa Cruz’s wages during the loan spell and although there is no deal set in place for the Lancashire club to sign him at the end of the season, Kean is optimistic that the temporary transfer can be made permanent.

“We are trying to speak to Manchester City to see if there can be an option at the end of it,” revealed the Blackburn boss. “We’ll ask for that and if we can get it, all the better.”