Man United strengthens defense with Jones capture

AP, Monday 13 Jun 2011

Manchester United has moved to strengthen their defence after agreeing to sign Phil Jones from Blackburn as its first summer recruit

Phil Jones
Blackburn defender Phil Jones

The newly crowned Premier League champions announced Monday that the 19-year-old Englishman will sign a five-year deal after returning from the European Under-21 Championship.

He passed a medical examination last week before traveling with the England squad to Denmark.

Even before the transfer was announced, United striker Wayne Rooney described Jones as “one of the toughest defenders I played against last season.”

Jones will face stiff competition for a spot in central defense from Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling.

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