LACKBURN, England (AP): Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz rejoined former club Blackburn on Friday on a six-month loan deal from Manchester City.
The 29-year-old Santa Cruz spent two years at Ewood Park before signing for City in June 2009 for a reported fee of 18 million pounds ($30 million).
He failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at City, and has featured just once in the Premier League this season. Santa Cruz is in contention to start for Blackburn in its league match at Chelsea on Saturday.
"I feel like I am coming home. This has been the easiest decision of my career," Santa Cruz said. "I want to get playing and scoring again, and this is a real chance for me to prove myself after a frustrating period. Everyone knows what Blackburn means to me."
Santa Cruz, who is Rovers' first signing since the club was taken over by Indian poultry giant Venky's in November last year, scored 29 goals in his first spell at Blackburn. The former Bayern Munich striker managed just four goals in 18 months with City.
"When he was here the first time, he had a fantastic time and showed his quality," Blackburn manager Steve Kean said. "I think he feels he has got a little bit of business to finish.
"Hopefully he will go and do that until the end of the season. He's coming back to a place that was special to him and I am sure he is going to deliver as good, if not better."
Santa Cruz found himself frozen out at City, with manager Roberto Mancini preferring Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli up front.
The big-spending northwest club also recently signed Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko for a reported fee of 27 million pounds ($42 million).
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