Blackburn sign Sukur

Sukur hopes to revive his career at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Turkey striker Hakan Sukur.

Sukur has signed a deal until the end of the season after undergoing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

"I'm very happy to sign for such a good club," said Sukur.

He's the best athlete I've ever worked with

Souness on Sukur

"I already know Tugay, Brad Friedel, Graeme Souness and Dean Saunders and they helped me to decide to come.

"I think I can be a big success for Rovers."

Hakan Sukur profile

Sukur, the scorer the fastest ever World Cup goal, was signed as a free agent following his release by Italian side Parma.

That means he will be available to play immediately rather than wait until the transfer window opens in January.

"I am delighted Hakan is joining us," said Blackburn manager Graeme Souness.

"He is carrying a slight injury at the moment but that has been taken into account and we are confident he will strengthen our squad."

Souness worked with the striker during his spell at Galatasaray, and is confident he can re-ignite his career after a disappointing World Cup for Turkey.

"I've worked with him before and I think he'll do a good job for us. He's the best athlete I've ever worked with."

Souness wants to add firepower to his squad

"He is different to Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. When I worked with him in Turkey about eight years ago he was absolutely magnificent.

"I know he's 31, but his biggest asset was his mobility and how much he could get around the park," Souness told BBC Sport Online.

Souness also wants to inject firepower to his squad with striker Matt Jansen not "fully recovered" from his motorcycle accident.

Sukur was criticised for his World Cup displays, but Souness swept that aside.

He said: "People are making judgments on how he played in the World Cup, but before that he was in Italy at Inter Milan and there is no disgrace in not getting in the team before Christian Vieri and Ronaldo.

"I'm not concerned about that. He wants to prove how good a player he is and I'm confident we can do that here."

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