Rovers close in on Pavone deal

Published Jul. 15, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

The 29-year-old striker arrived in England on Monday and confirmed talks were under way. Pavone has now finalised his deal after also passing a medical at Ewood Park and is now set to put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal. It is expected that Blackburn will now confirm the deal in the coming days before officially presenting him on Monday. His British representative Barry McIntosh confirmed that the deal was in place. "Mariano is delighted to get his chance in English football, he has spoken to several clubs but he was particularly impressed by Steve Kean," McIntosh told skysports.com. "Steve made him feel very welcome and explained his plans, and Mariano was delighted with what he heard. "He is now looking forward to the next chapter with an ambitious club like Blackburn." Pavone, who does not need a work-permit as he has EU citizenship, arrives as a free agent. He spent last season playing at River Plate, on loan from Spanish side Real Betis. But he bought out the remaining year of his deal with Betis - who he originally joined in 2007 - which freed him to make the move to England.