Rovers sign Schalke´s US star

US international midfielder Jermaine Jones has joined Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan deal from Bundesliga club Schalke.

Jones, 29, becomes the club’s second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.

Manager Steve Kean, who visited India on Monday for a meeting with Rovers owners Venky’s, told the club’s official website: “He’s a fantastic signing for us.”

“Anybody who knows him as a player, he’s a natural ball winner, he’s a very good passer as well.”

“He’s got a fantastic engine, he can go box-to-box, he’s a genuine, all-round midfielder player.”

Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, made three friendly appearances for Germany before switching his allegiance to the US in 2009.

He joined Schalke in 2007, but has fallen out of favour with coach Felix Magath.

Kean talked transfers, among other things, with his bosses in Pune and hinted there may be more signings before the window closes at the end of the month.

Barcelona’s teenager striker Ruben Rochina is still on his wish-list along with Blackpool’s want-away midfielder Charlie Adam.

Blackpool remain determined to keep Adam but he is keen on a move to Ewood Park.

“It is ongoing on the transfer front. It has been slower than we hoped, which has been frustrating, but hopefully we can get this one pushed through (Jones) and then we are on to the next,” Kean added.

“Then we can look and assess the injuries that are coming back and if they’re coming back then that’s fantastic, if not then we might add another one.”