r00fie1
Well-known member
Mowbray didn’t sign him originally?
Yes he did:
"Back when Mowbray was manager of Middlesbrough, Ayala was plying his trade with Norwich City and an opportunity arose for Mowbray to take the young Spanish defender on a three-month emergency loan in October 2013.
Ayala was an instant hit, but even his arrival couldn't prevent Mowbray from the axe and the Blackburn Rovers boss was replaced by Aitor Karanka, who went onto sign Ayala for a bargain price of £400,000 in January 2014. Six years on and Ayala can reflect on his stint on Teesside with great pride, collecting Player of the Year awards and playing an influential role in their route to the Premier League in the 2015-16 season."
https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/blackburn-rovers-ayala-mowbray-reunion-18946105