KARIM Rekik has completed his loan switch to Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.

The highly-rated 18-year-old joins Rovers from Premier League champions Manchester City and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's FA Cup trip to Arsenal.

A versatile defender, who is equally comfortable both at left-back and centre half, Rekik started his career with Dutch giants Feyenoord, before securing a summer switch to Manchester City in July 2011.

Rekik made his City debut two months later in the League Cup, before making a loan move to Portsmouth where he played under Rovers boss Michael Appleton until the end of the 2011-12 season, making eight appearances.

The Dutch youth international made his Premier League debut earlier this season, starting in City’s 1-0 win over Reading in December, and is tipped to have a bright future at the Etihad Stadium.