Manchester United have confirmed the capture of Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones on a five-year deal.

United thought they had secured Jones' services last week, only for the transfer to be halted due to an unforeseen snag.

However, Jones, who featured for England U-21s in their opening European Championship match against Spain in Denmark last night, will complete his move once he returns.

"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 U-21 game, emphasising the importance Sir Alex Ferguson is placing on youth as he rebuilds his squad in the wake of last month's UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.
Steve Kean, Blackburn Rovers 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," said a statement on behalf of Rovers' owners, directors and manager, released on the club's website.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean confirmed those efforts included offering to make Jones the highest-paid player in the club's history.

"The offer we made him was staggering for a 19-year-old, but it wasn't the money," Kean told Sky Sports News. "Phil wants to play Champions League football now and we're not at that level.

"I'm sure we will be in the coming years, and we gave it a real good try and made him a fantastic offer, but I understand why he wants to go now. He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.

"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England, he's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."