Man City: Karim Rekik joins Blackburn Rovers on loan

Blackburn Rovers have signed Manchester City defender Karim Rekik on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut for City in December, starting the 1-0 win against Reading.

Last season, he played eight games under Rovers boss Michael Appleton in a loan spell at Portsmouth.

"He's going to be a Premier League player for the next 15 or 20 years - I feel lucky that we've got him," Appleton told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I've certainly brought him here to play. What we've got at the moment is a back four who are playing very well at the minute, so they'll all be expecting to play every week.

"But if there's a situation where people get knocks or look as if they are lagging a bit and need a rest, then Karim can step into that mark."