27.08.2003 - Babbel signs for Blackburn

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Markus Babbel has joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until next summer, with the former German international likely to make a permanent switch to Ewood Park at the end of his loan period with the club.

Babbel has not played a competitive first team match since being brought off in the first half of Liverpool's 4-3 Worthington Cup win against Aston Villa last December, and the arrival of Steve Finnan looks set to push the German even further down the queue for a first team place.

And Babbel could make his debut for his new club against Liverpool in just over two weeks time, as he is currently serving a 4 match ban for collecting a red card for violent conduct in Liverpool reserves' final game of last season.