BLACKBURN Rovers have suffered a setback today in their bid to bring Turkish midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu to Ewood Park.
The Home Office have refused the player a work permit, saying he does not meet their criteria.
Blackburn, who had agreed personal terms with the player and a transfer fee with Rangers, can appeal against the decision.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The player has been refused a work permit as he doesn't meet the required criteria."
Blackburn agreed a £1.3million fee with Rangers for Tugay after he fell out of favour last season with manager Dick Advocaat.
Tugay spent most of the time on the bench and his frustration boiled over in one international game when he threw his shirt at the Turkish coach.
However Blackburn manager Graeme Souness is a long-time admirer - the two men were together at Galatasaray.
Souness is rebuilding is squad after promotion to the Premiership and this week splashed out £6.75 million to bring striker Corrado Grabbi from Italian club Ternana.
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