Phil Jones Completes Manchester United Move

Manchester United has today confirmed that they have signed Blackburn Rovers' Phil Jones; the defender has joined the Old Trafford outfit on a five-year contract.

The defender is currently in Denmark with England’s Under 21 squad which is competing in the U21 European Championship. Jones had a terrific last season for Blackburn Rovers and played a pivotal role in the team’s Premier League survival. Now with both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the same team the U21 central defender pair are seen as United’s future top level defenders.

The fee for Jones is believed to be around the £16.5m mark, which effectively triggered a buyout clause in the player’s contract at Blackburn forcing the club to sell the U21 player.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce it has signed an agreement with Blackburn Rovers for the transfer of Phil Jones," said a United statement.

"The player passed a medical in Manchester last week and has agreed a five-year contract.

"The deal will be completed once the player returns from international duty."

The deal could become a potential record deal for Blackburn and the club have released a statement on behalf of the owners, board and manager.

"Much as we would love him to stay on with us, and we made all efforts to convince him to stay, Phil has to finally follow his heart," read the statement. (Not to mention the pay cheque!).

"We are extremely happy with his contribution to our team and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavours."

Blackburn Rover's statement may well indicate a certain gritting of the teeth but with United willing to buy out such a young player only the future will show if Jones is worth it.

Blackburn Boss Signs Long-Term Contract

Blackburn owners have awarded caretaker boss Steve Kean a contract extension to keep him in charge at Ewood Park until the summer of 2013, Indian owners decided to sack Allardyce and put Kean in temporary charge in December.

Kean was initially appointed until the end of the season and the owner’s feels he had done enough to be rewarded with an extension.

Kean joined Rovers as first-team coach in 2009 and is relishing the challenge of trying to take the club forward over the next two-and-a-half years.

He told the club's official website: "I am delighted to commit my future to Rovers at the start of what I see as a massively exciting new era for the club.

"The owners have shown great faith in me and I will do all I can to repay them.

"This is a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it with both hands."

Venky's chairperson Anuradha Desai fully expects Kean to be successful in the job after being impressed by what she has seen from him so far.

"We have great confidence in Steve, someone who impresses us with his work ethic, enthusiasm, positivity and football philosophy," she said.

"We feel that the playing squad is in very safe and capable hands and we look forward to working with him.

"Stability is very important to us and this contract is further evidence of our desire to achieve such stability at the club."