Rovers get clearance on Vogel
by Tom Kell, 26 March 2008
Johann Vogel has been given the green light to get his Blackburn Rovers career up and running after finally receiving international clearance.
The Switzerland international signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Ewood Park last week having spent two weeks on trial with the club.
The formalities of the deal have now been completed, meaning Vogel could make his Rovers bow at Reading on Saturday.
The 31-year-old has not tasted first-team action since being released by Real Betis in December, but his new manager Mark Hughes has no doubt he can still get straight down to business if needed.
"He has trained well this week, as he always has done since he walked through the door, so he could come into the equation,” said Hughes.
"A little bit of a concern, though, is that he's not had any games of late, but I know if I did involve him he wouldn't let us down.
"I just feel he is going to be a really good player for us, with the ability to break things up in front of the back four, while he can also pick the right pass and free the attacking players in front of him."