MARK Hughes has hailed the deadline day signing of Shabani Nonda as a real coup'.

The Blackburn Rovers boss has been tracking the Roma striker for years and is delighted to finally get his man.

Nonda, a Congo international and former Monaco frontman, signed on a season-long loan on Thursday evening.

And Hughes believes the hit-man can make a huge impression in the Premiership.

He said: "To be able to bring Shabani Nonda in is a real coup and I'm really looking forward to working with him and seeing how he supplements the other forwards we have here.

"He has a great pedigree, having averaged a goal a game during his career and has been transferred for significant amounts of money between major clubs.

"His last year or so has included a couple of injuries but he's fit and well now. He had an extensive medical and came through it with flying colours.

"He's a player of undoubted experience who first impressed me many years ago and he has a great physical presence."