Blackburn Rovers Football Club

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31367

Rovers given Kalinic go-ahead

11 Aug 2009 - 07:14:53

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Blackburn Rovers have been given the green light to complete the signing of Nikola Kalinic after the Croatia striker was granted a work permit.

The 21-year-old has accepted a four-year contract with Rovers, with a £6million deal having been agreed with his current club Hajduk Split.

"Rovers are pleased to announce that they have been successful in their application for a work permit for Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinic," confirmed a club statement.

The news comes after Rovers boss Sam Allardyce spoke of the potential importance of the striker to a squad which has lost Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City this summer.

"We have a very, very good chance with a very, very talented player," he said.

"He should be allowed to come and express his abilities in this country and show what he can do.

"He has a terrific goalscoring record. He is only 21 and scores one goal every 1.6 games. That is why we have forked out as much money as we have."