Lancastria.net Yea Blackburn!

Marcus Olsson has signed for Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer from Swedish side Halmstads BK, joining his twin brother Martin at Ewood Park.

The 23-year-old, who can play on the wing or up front, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal.

He earned his first caps for Sweden this month, playing in friendlies against Bahrain and Qatar.

Olsson had a trial with Blackburn in 2005, at the same time as his brother, but was not signed.

The Swede scored 17 goals in 139 appearances during a four-year period at Halmstads BK.

Marcus Olsson

Martin Olsson, who signed for Blackburn when he was 17, is already an established Premier League player and for the Swedish national side too.

The twins, who last played club football together at under-16 level at Hogaborgs BK, were recently reunited on the pitch when they both featured for their country in the Bahrain game.

SIMON Garner has called for Blackburn Rovers to follow Manchester City’s lead in their response to the Chris Samba stand-off – after insisting clubs have to take some of the power out of players’ hands.

The former Rovers striker believes Samba has crossed the line in his latest ‘let me leave’ plea and believes the way Manchester City have dealt with Carlos Tevez should show them the way to go.

Garner accepts Samba has to be sold should the club receive a bid in excess of £10m but believes until that sort of money if offered, the defender should be made to ‘sweat it out in the reserves’.

He has applauded City’s hard-line stance on their own wantaway star Carlos Tevez and believes a similar approach by Venky’s would show everyone they mean business.

He said: “I agree with a lot of the things Chris Samba has said but I don’t agree with how he is acting. Rovers can’t sell him until someone offers the money they want. I don’t think £10m is unreasonable.

“Manchester City stood up against Carlos Tevez and they were right to do that.

“Blackburn should be saying ‘let him rot in the reserves’ until a serious offer comes in.

“It has been said for a long time now that players have too much power.

Chris Samba

“They do as well.

“Perhaps what Manchester City are doing and what Blackburn Rovers will hopefully do is show the players they can’t just push their clubs around. I know it is far easier for City to say that to Tevez, because they can afford it.

“I understand the argument that says Rovers cannot afford to keep paying the wages of a player like Samba while not playing him.

“It would be worth it though because it would stop similar happening down the line with another player.

“If he isn’t prepared to give his all, let him sulk and fine him.

“Simple as that.”

Samba’s latest outburst has provoked a mixed response though.

Kevin Gallacher agrees that Samba was out of order in some of his comments but believes both parties would now benefit from a fresh break.

He said: “He has stepped over the line in some of what he has said.

“No player should ever say their heart would not be with the club any more.

“The thing is contracts are there to be broken these days.

“Chris Samba has taken this strong line because he desperately wants out and I don’t see the club have any choice but to sell him.”