Blackburn Sign Mame Biram Diouf On Season-Long Loan
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Official: Blackburn Rovers Sign Manchester United Striker Mame Biram Diouf On Season-Long Loan
Starlet to spend campaign at Ewood Park...
Blackburn Rovers have signed striker Mame Biram Diouf from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old arrives at Ewood Park to bolster Sam Allardyce’s attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season.
Chances of first-team action at Old Trafford appeared to be slim for Diouf, with fellow forwards Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez and Federico Macheda all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Diouf arrived at Old Trafford from Molde – the former club of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – in January of 2010 after scoring 33 goals in 75 matches for the Norwegian side.
He has made six appearances for the Red Devils, scoring once against Burnley, and may go straight into his new side’s squad for their friendly match against Scottish Premier League side Hearts on Saturday.
He will then meet up with Senegal’s Under-21 team to play a midweek friendly, but will be back to be in contention for the league opener against Everton.
Croatian international Nikola Kalinic is likely to be Diouf’s main rival for a starting spot at Ewood Park as the starlet looks to gain first-team experience at the top level.
Allardyce has been short on attacking options after the end of Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo’s loan deal and departure of Benni McCarthy to West Ham United last season.
Another young United striker, Danny Welbeck, has been linked with a loan switch to Sunderland and seems set for a temporary departure.
But manager Sir Alex Ferguson has decided that midfielder Tom Cleverley, who was being chased by Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, will not be leaving the club on loan. -
Manchester United striker Joshua King has joined Preston on a three-month loan deal.
Sir Alex Ferguson has sent the Norwegian teenager to Deepdale in order to receive more first-team opportunities and he will link up with fellow United loanee Matty James who is on season-long loan with Darren Ferguson's men.
Preston boss Ferguson told his club's official website: "He's quick, he's strong, he's a good size and he's a tremendous prospect and we are really looking forward to working with him."
The 18-year-old made just one substitute appearance since moving to Old Trafford from Vålerenga in 2008.
