Santa Cruz seals Blackburn move

The 25-year-old Paraguay international has agreed a four-year deal at Ewood Park after Rovers paid an undisclosed fee, believed to be about £3.5m.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes said: "He is a young player, an international with a good reputation."

"The good thing from our point of view is that his fitness levels are fine as he has been playing for Paraguay in the Copa America."

Santa Cruz had been pushed down the pecking order at Bayern following the summer arrivals of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni.

During his time at Bayern, Santa Cruz won the Champions League, five Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and a World Club Cup winner's medal.

606: DEBATE

He scored 31 goals in 155 appearances and will bring the experience of 51 Champions League outings to Blackburn.

But he will find the competition at Blackburn stiff, with Benni McCarthy, Jason Roberts, Matt Derbyshire and new recruit Marco Rigters all vying for a first-team place.

Hughes admits he might be tempted to sell a striker following Santa Cruz's arrival at Ewood Park.

"Possibly that could happen but I am quite happy with the options I have," he stated.

"I'm looking to supplement the qualities of the strikers we have. You have to have depth and quality to cope with the demands of a long season."

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