Blackburn Rovers have signed Swiss international midfielder Johann Vogel after a successful trial spell.

The 31-year-old, who was released by Spanish side Real Betis in December 2007, had been training with Rovers since the beginning of March.

Subject to international clearance, Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further year.

Vogel, who has 94 Swiss caps, began his career with Grasshoppers and has also played for PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan. He joined Betis in August 2006 but was allowed to leave following a legal dispute.

Vogel has previously been targeted by Manchester United and Everton, and was also linked with a move to Sunderland when he became a free agent.

Blackburn have confirmed they are in talks with English Premier League Star Benni McCarthy about a new deal at Ewood Park.

McCarthy still has two years to run on his current contract, but Rovers are ready to hand him an extension to keep him for the foreseeable future.

The former Porto star enjoyed a fine debut season at Blackburn, but he has struggled to replicate that form this term.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes is determined to keep McCarthy and the club hope to tie him down to a new deal to ward off potential suitors and Rovers chairman John Williams confirmed talks were ongoing with McCarthy’s agent regarding a new contract.

Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes fears Andre Ooijer could face a spell on the sidelines after he appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during Blackburn’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.

English Premier League manager Hughes is waiting on scans to find out the full extent of the injury, but he fears the Dutchman could be missing for up to a month.

“He’s been playing excellent, he’s got fantastic experience, he’s played in huge games all across Europe and that experience comes to the fore,” Hughes told the club’s official website.

“Of late he has probably been our outstanding performer and we are disappointed that it looks like we are going to lose him for a number of weeks now. I would imagine if it is the hamstring again then it is going to be a minimum of three to four weeks.”

Blackburn Rovers Goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a new contract that will keep him at Ewood Park until 2010.

The 36-year-old joined Rovers in November 2000 on a free transfer from English Premier League rivals Liverpool. This new deal adds a one year extension to the contract he signed in April 2007. Signing this new deal will mean Friedel has played in the English Premier League for 10 seasons.

“I am delighted to have extended the agreement. It was not a difficult decision to make. Blackburn Rovers is home to me. This is my club and I have a special affinity with it.”

In the last four seasons, Friedel has started every league fixture and in November of last year set a new Rovers record for appearances in the Premier League, surpassing former captain Tim Sherwood’s total of 235. Friedel retired from international football in 2005, making way for Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.