/world sport
(CNN) -- In-demand Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz has committed himself to the Premier League club by signing a new four-year contract.
Santa Cruz has opted to remain at Blackburn after signing a new four-year contract with the club.
The Paraguay international had been the subject of a bid from Manchester City earlier this summer as well as reported interest from several other clubs. However, the 27-year-old has opted to pen a contract extension to tie him to the Ewood Park club until 2012.
A statement on the club's website said: "Blackburn Rovers are delighted to announce that Roque Santa Cruz has signed a new four-year contract with the club, running through until 2012."
Blackburn paid Bayern Munich only $7 million for Santa Cruz last summer, after injuries wrecked his time in Bavaria, and the move paid off as Santa Cruz developed into one of the Premier League's top striker's during a successful debut season in England.
Earlier in the day, Blackburn vice-captain David Dunn said it would be "a tragedy" if Santa Cruz and fellow-striker Benni McCarthy were to leave.
"I don't think any player, certainly not those two, will be leaving," he added. "As a Blackburn fan it would be a tragedy if they left so I'm sure the club wouldn't allow that.
"Roque is a tremendous player, as is Benni. We are a club that is trying to achieve things ourselves and you couldn't let Brad Friedel, David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz go in the same season. There's no way the club will let that happen."
The news will be a huge relief for new Blackburn manager Paul Ince, as he tries to build a squad following the summer departures of Friedel (Aston Villa) and Bentley (Tottenham).
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