Blackburn snap up van Heerden

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has voiced confidence that Elrio van Heerden can make an impact on the Premier League after signing the South African midfielder on a free transfer from Belgian side Club Brugge.

Van Heerden has been given a two-year contract at Ewood Park and Allardyce has great hopes for the 25-year-old, provided he can cope with the physical demands of English football.

“We need to build him up as he is not the biggest of lads, then I am sure he will make an impact as the season progresses,” Allardyce said Tuesday.

“We have signed a very talented young man. He is a great addition to the squad. He has lots of pace, lots of ability and can play wide right and left.

“He’s had a couple of injuries, which have been hiding his talents but we have monitored him over the last few months.”

Van Heerden has been recruited to help plug gaps created by the departure of his compatriot Aaron Mokoena for Portsmouth and the retirement of Turkey’s Tugay Kerimoglu.