Rovers move for Jones

Jermaine Jones

12 April 2012

Blackburn have signed Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones on a six-month loan deal.

The 29-year-old USA international becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.

Manager Steve Kean 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."

Kean added: "He's got a fantastic engine, he can go box-to-box, he's a genuine all round midfielder player."

Rovers will now await international clearance.

Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, made three friendly appearances for Germany before being cleared by FIFA to switch his allegiance to the United States in 2009.

Jones is eligible to play for the USA because his father is American. He made his debut for the country in October 2010.

The midfielder has been at Schalke since 2007, but has fallen out of favour with coach Felix Magath.