 He only lasted five months in Portugal, however, before Brian Kidd brought him to recently relegated Blackburn Rovers in August 1999.The fee was £400,000 with potential add-ons of £100,000.He made his debut for Rovers on 6 November 1999 in the 2–2 league draw with Ipswich Town – the first game after Kidd was sacked and long-serving coach Tony Parkes put in charge – at Ewood Park.