BLACKBURN Rovers striker Rudy Gestede has completed a £6m move to Aston Villa.

Gestede has signed a five-year deal at Villa, who are managed by Rovers’ former Premiership title-winning captain Tim Sherwood.

Rovers did not want to lose their leading goalscorer from last season and previously turned down bids from Villa’s top-flight rivals Crystal Palace and Watford.

But Gestede, who has scored 34 times in 65 appearances at Ewood Park, made it abundantly clear that he wanted to make the step up to the Premier League.

And earlier this week Villa had a £6m offer accepted.

That represents a huge profit for Rovers.

They paid £200,000 to sign Gestede from Cardiff City in January 2014 after a successful loan spell.

And Cardiff are not entitled to a penny of the money Rovers have made on the Benin international as they failed to insert a sell-on clause.

Villa boss Sherwood said: “I’ve known about Rudy since he was at Cardiff City and he is a player I’ve always admired.

“His goalscoring ratio last season was fantastic and he is someone who certainly knows how to find the back of the net.

“He’s a big, physical striker but he can play and I’m pleased to welcome him to the football club.”