Mahon joins Blackburn on loan - December 13, 2000
Sporting Lisbon midfielder has joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old Dubliner joined the Portuguese side during the summer on a Bosman free transfer from Tranmere Rovers but since then he has failed to make an impression with the first team, making a loan deal inevitable.
Mahon, who has earned two Irish senior caps, came off the bench for Sporting in their 2-1 win against Belenenses last weekend. His only other appearance for the Lisbon club came in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
Blackburn lost Lee Carsley last week and then missed out on the signing of Leeds United's Matthew Jones so it will come as some relief that they have managed to get their hands on such a talented midfielder.
Mahon was the star of the Tranmere Rovers team which reached the League Cup final last season and Rovers manager John Aldridge was hoping to keep him at Prenton Park but Mahon decided to take on the foreign challenge, singing a two-year deal with Sporting.
Alan will remain at Blackburn for the rest of the season before returning to Portugal for pre-season.
He said: "I am sad to be leaving Sporting, but I hope to return next season and play more often."