So Who Is Benni McCarthy?

After a year of trying Blackburn Rovers finally got their man last week when they signed forward Benni McCarthy from Portuguese giants Porto, much to the approval of all concerned.

South African International McCarthy, 28, signed on a four-year deal for a fee in the region of £2.5 million much to the delight of Blackburn chairman John Williams.

‘We are delighted that we have managed to bring him to Rovers.’ He told the club`s website.

McCarthy himself is also more than happy to be moving to Lancashire, also speaking on the club`s website he said.

‘It’s a privilege and an honour to play for the team who show so much interest in a player, and not giving up hope and so want me, and when they got a chance they still went for me.

‘I’m thrilled and delighted and hope I can show my appreciation by coming in and playing good football and hope to score as many goals as possible to put the team where they belong.

‘I’m very thrilled because it has always been a dream and I’ve had so many opportunities to come and play in England but in the end it always seemed to go wrong.

‘But Blackburn haven’t lost faith – they came last season for me and it didn’t work out and this season they fought again but finally I’m here so I’m going to make the most of it.’

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes himself expressed his own happiness, when speaking to the Daily Star he said.

‘I’m delighted to have got Benni because he has a lot of experience, having played in Holland, Spain and Portugal. ‘He will bring something different to the team.”
So, as if we didn`t know who is Benni McCarthy?

McCarthy started his illustrious European career in 1997 with Ajax (initially after being a part of Ajax`s feeder club Ajax Cape Town) although it wasn`t long before other clubs would be sniffing around, Spanish Primera Division side Celta Vigo his destination in 1999. Things didn`t really workout with Celta Vigo, so following an initial successful loan spell he eventually joined Porto on a permanent basis in 2004. His time in Portugal with Porto had seen him play under current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, being a part of their winning Champions League side of 2004.

An International career thus far earning him 60 caps, with a record of 26 goals, has seen him represent his country in two World Cup Finals, firstly in France in 1998, then four years later in Japan and Korea. McCarthy will be looking to make it a hat-trick of Finals appearances when the World Cup goes to his homeland of South Africa in 2010.

A player with a proven history, he will look to play his part in helping Rovers maintain, and build on last season`s highly successful campaign.

By D Carter