McCarthy was linked with a string of Premiership clubs in recent seasons
Blackburn have signed Porto striker Benni McCarthy on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The South Africa international, 28, has had spells with Ajax and Celta Vigo, and was part of the Porto side which won the Champions League in 2004.
"We tried to sign Benni 12 months ago and we have been tracking the situation since then," Blackburn chairman John Williams told the club's website.
"We are delighted that we have managed to bring him to Rovers."
McCarthy is the third striker Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has signed this summer, following Francis Jeffers and Jason Roberts to Ewood Park as the club look to improve on last year's sixth place in the Premiership.
Rovers are reported to have paid a fee of about £2.5m for McCarthy, who had previously been linked with moves to Everton, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and West Ham.
He started his career at feeder club Ajax Cape Town, before progressing to the full-blown Ajax Amsterdam set-up in 1997.
McCarthy then moved to Spanish side Celta Vigo in 1999, but struggled to settle in Spain, and - after two unsuccessful seasons - was loaned to Porto under manager Jose Mourinho where he blossomed.
He returned to Celta Vigo before Porto made the transfer permanent in 2004.
McCarthy has won 60 caps for South Africa, scoring 26 goals and playing at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
He retired from the international game after the 2002 World Cup, but reversed his decision in 2004.
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