Dickov leaves Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers have released Paul Dickov after the striker snubbed a new contract.

Blackburn Rovers have released Paul Dickov after the striker snubbed a new contract.

Dickov was out of contract in the summer and had been offered a two-year deal to stay at Ewood Park.

The fiery Scot has now been let go and he has been linked with a return to former club Manchester City, while Everton and Sheffield United are also interested.

Rovers chief executive John Williams confirmed the 33-year-old's departure and suggested football reasons were behind Dickov's decision.

"Paul has been released by the club after he decided not to accept our offer of a new contract," Williams told the Lancashire Evening Post.

"I don't think there was any problem with the terms we offered him, it was more of a football decision.

"We'd like to thank Paul for his efforts over the last two years and we wish him all the best for the future."

In two seasons at Ewood Park, Dickov scored 17 goals in 61 appearances and had proved to be an astute £150,000 purchase from Leicester City.