Manchester United complete £16m signing of Phil Jones
• Blackburn defender heads to Old Trafford
• England Under-21 international signs five-year deal with United
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of the Blackburn defender Phil Jones on a five-year deal.
Jones passed a medical and agreed personal terms with United on Wednesday last week after the club met the £16m release clause in the player's contract, before Venky's, Blackburn's owners, stalled on the transfer amid interest from Liverpool.
However, Jones, who featured for England Under-21's in their opening European Championship match against Spain in Denmark, apparently told Rovers he did not wish to join any other club than United.
"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."
It takes to four the number of United players who started last night's Under-21 game, emphasising the importance Sir Alex Ferguson is placing on youth as he rebuilds his squad in the wake of last month's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
"I've loved my time at Blackburn and I will always be a huge fan but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to a new challenge," said Jones via Twitter.
Jones is expected to be joined at Old Trafford by the Spain goalkeeper David de Gea and Aston Villa's Ashley Young.
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Welcome Jones. I'm glad its finally sorted, it looked as if it was going to get messy!! Hopefully him and Smalling with be our no.1 CB's in a few years time :)