Blackburn foil German swoop for Samba

Giant Chris Samba has signed a massive new deal with Blackburn Rovers - and handed boss Sam Allardyce a major boost.

The big African defender has been a huge hit since signing from Hertha Berlin and is now rated one of the top defenders around.

Samba asked Rovers for a pay hike after his impressive displays and he has picked up a fresh contract until the summer of 2014 - with terms on around £2 million-a-year.

Rovers wanted Samba tied down for the rest of his career despite interest in him from German sides who have been tracking him all season.