Tugay seals Rovers deal

As expected Turkish star Tugay Kerimoglu has signed a new contract at Blackburn.

The 35-year-old - whose contract was due to expire in June - had a lucrative offer to play in Asia, but Rovers have now agreed terms on a fresh deal.

"He knocked on my door and I shook his hand, so I took that to mean he is happy with the deal," said Blackburn boss Mark Hughes.

"That's great news for us.

"It means we have a good quality player for next season, and there aren't many of his like in the Premier League these days.

"I don't feel people will take too much notice of his age because he has the ability to set the tone in, and take the sting out of games.

"Given his position and ability, I feel he can influence teams and games for a number of seasons yet."

Tugay will now stay at Ewood Park until 2007 and his association with the Lancashire side will run to some six years.

Rovers signed Tugay in 2001 from Rangers when Graeme Souness brought him south of the border, and he has proven to be one of the club's most successful foreign imports.