Rovers close to fifth Portuguese signing after Etuhu joins up in Holland (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rovers close to fifth Portuguese signing after Etuhu joins up in Holland

6:00am Saturday 4th August 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

DICKSON Etuhu will join his new team-mates in Holland today after completing his move to Ewood Park – as Blackburn Rovers also close in on their fifth Portuguese signing of the summer.

Etuhu yesterday joined Rovers from Fulham in a deal worth around £1.5m, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract after passing a medical. And the Lancashire Telegraph understands that Rovers are also closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Diogo Rosado.

The 22-year-old, a former Portugal under 21 international, spent last season on loan at Feirense, and underwent a medical yesterday.

Rovers are expected to complete the signing in the next couple of days, with Rosado following Portuguese compatriots Nuno Gomes, Fabio Nunes, Paulo Jorge and Edinho to Ewood this summer.

Etuhu jets out to Holland this morning to link up with the Rovers squad ahead of the second and final game of their pre-season tour against NEC Nijmegen tomorrow afternoon, kick-off 1.30pm.

The 30-year-old Nigerian international, who started his career at Manchester City, is the second Fulham player to join Rovers this summer after Danny Murphy and is expected to partner his former Cottagers team-mate in central midfield.

Rovers were in action against Go Ahead Eagles last night in their first game of their tour of Holland and Etuhu will link up with the squad today ahead of their second and final match in the country against NEC Nijmegen tomorrow afternoon, kick-off 1.30pm.

Rovers were yesterday waiting for Huddersfield Town’s response to a bid for striker Jordan Rhodes, lodged on Thursday.

It is expected to take an offer in excess of £6m to land the highly-rated 22-year-old, who netted 40 times last season, but Rovers are willing to offer a lucrative package in an attempt to stave off rival interest.

Fulham are among those thought to be interested. But Etuhu is already Rovers’ seventh signing of the summer and boss Steve Kean said: "Dickson is a player I have admired for a long time and he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.

"He is a powerhouse in midfield, who has played at the highest level with Fulham and we feel confident he will complement our other midfield options."

Etuhu featured for Fulham in the Europa League final two years ago and also previously represented Sunderland, Norwich and Preston.

He was born in the Nigerian city of Kano and has 17 caps for his country after making his debut in 2007 - although he grew up in London along with younger brother Kelvin, who plays for Barnsley.