Samba U-turns to sign new Blackburn deal

Feb 2, 2011, 14:03 GMT

London - Blackburn Rovers captain Christopher Samba has performed an abrupt about-face and signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2015.

The centre-back had reacted to the sacking of Sam Allardyce in December last year by announcing he was considering his future at the club, which had been bought a couple of weeks early by Indian poultry giants Venky's.

'It is a good feeling. We have been in discussions for a little time and I needed a couple of answers,' Samba said.

'But the way we have played and the players the manager has brought in means we are not far off being a top club in the league.

'I'm in a period of my career where I need to make important choices, I've made the choice to take the challenge to try and take the club as high as possible, to maintain that position and to be recognised as one of the top clubs in the country.

Samba follows Ryan Nelsen, Michel Salgado and Jason Roberts in agreeing a new contract.

'This is more great news for us,' Rovers manager Steve Kean said. 'Chris is a major part of the picture at Rovers and his form has created a lot of interest from around the football world.

'The fact that he wants to be part of what we are trying to build here is further evidence of the exciting times that lie ahead.'

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