BLACKBURN Rovers did all they could to sign Kim Bo-Kyung.

That was the verdict of managing director Derek Shaw after the club’s attempts to complete a deal for the South Korea star were thwarted on Thursday when the FA rejected an appeal to grant him a work permit.

The in-demand Kim, who was a free agent after turning down a new longer-term contract from Wigan Athletic, who make the short trip to Ewood Park today (3pm), had agreed personal terms with Rovers.

Shaw said: “With the legal advice of our lawyers we knew that it would be very doubtful.

“But if Kim had gone to another Championship club, and got a work permit because of his previous employment in the UK, we would have been extremely criticised for not having a go.

“We’ve had a go, it’s cost us in lawyer’s fees, and it’s cost us in (setting up) the FA panel, but we’ve had a go for the right reasons because Kim is a very good footballer and we’re very disappointed we’ve not got him.”