Blackburn Rovers have swooped to loan striker Jay Bothroyd from Perugia for the rest of the season.

Rovers manager Graeme Souness told his club’s official website: “He’s a young player we’ve been aware of him for quite a while.

“He has scored goals in Serie A and it is a hard league to score goals.”

He added: “Jay is a young player who has a bright future and we hope to bring the best out of him.”

Tottenham Hotspur have speeded up the signing of Swiss youngster Reto Ziegler from Grasshoppers Zurich, who had been originally lined up to join the North London club in January.

Ziegler, who is a left-sided player who can play in defence and midfield, has been capped at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 international level.

Former Fulham striker Barry Hayles has returned to London with Millwall after leaving Sheffield United for a nominal fee.

Hayles told his new club’s official website: “I got a call from my ex-gaffer Neil Warnock and he said that he didn’t really think it was working out at Sheffield United and that he wouldn’t stand in my way.

“I played the first four games of the season but he changed it around, so when Millwall came in with a suitable offer he said that it was down to me.

“This is a good move for me, I’m really pleased to be here. I went to the training ground this morning and thought that they are a good bunch of lads.

“I think that I’ve found a base here and a challenge that I’m really looking forward to. I’m fighting fit and raring to play in front of the fans here now.”

Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone has joined Parma on a one-season loan deal.

‘Boro manager Steve McClaren told his club’s official website: “Massimo has been a bit unfortunate that we have so many strikers at the club that we can’t give them all a game.

“This is a great opportunity for him to play first team football at a very high level.

“At the same time, we must stress that the plan is to have him back with us next summer. He is still part of the plans.”