BLACKBURN Rovers have signed Sunderland midfielder Jordi Gomez on loan for the rest of the season.

Gomez, 30, is Rovers boss Paul Lambert’s sixth signing of the January transfer window.

The midfielder could make his debut in Saturday's Championship clash with Middlesbrough and is eligible to play for Rovers in the FA Cup.

The former Wigan man has made six appearances for Sunderland this season, his last coming in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Since joining the Black Cats Gomez has made 39 appearances scoring four goals.

He joined Sunderland for £1.7m from Wigan in May 2014 following the Latics relegation from the Premier League.

The Spaniard was a hugely popular figure at the DW Stadium where he played more than 150 games during his five year spell.

He started Wigan's famous FA Cup victory over Manchester City in 2013 but was replaced by Ben Watson - who went on to score the winner.

Prior to moving to Wigan, Gomez had spent time on loan at Swansea City having come through the youth ranks at Barcelona.

He failed to make a first team appearance for the Catalan giants although he did feature for Barcelona B. Gomez also made three La Liga appearances for Barca's city rivals Espanyol prior to his move to England.