ROVERS have won the race to sign Darren Peacock with a successful swoop to land the Newcastle United defender.

Out-of-contract Peacock has signed a three-year deal following a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

But winger Stuart Ripley could be heading out of Ewood with a move to Southampton.

Saints have agreed a fee with Blackburn for the winger and been given permission to talk to Ripley about a move to the Dell.

And as Hodgson's summer re-building plans gather momentum following the record purchase of striker Kevin Davies negotiations are progressing with Bastia's French defender Sebastian Perez.

Peacock's signing brings to an end a three-year stay on Tyneside for the 30-year-old following his £2.7m move from QPR.

The central defender had rejected a new offer from Kenny Dalglish at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest and Southampton had also been chasing the player.

But Peacock plumped for Ewood Park where he will be faced with the added attraction of European football in the Uefa Cup next season.

He said: "I'm delighted to be joining Blackburn for a number of reasons, not least because they are a progressive club building in the right direction.

"Obviously I am saddened to be leaving Newcastle but it's fantastic that I am leaving one great club for another.

"I'm looking forward to working with Roy and the team as the facilities at Blackburn are second to none. "I look upon this move as a further opportunity to develop my career and I look forward to playing a part in the success of Blackburn Rovers over the forthcoming years."

Rovers conceded three goals on nine occasions last season which has prompted Hodgson to add to his defensive resources.

And Peacock's presence will give greater competition for the central defensive berths which were the property of Colin Hendry and Stephane Henchoz last season.

Hodgson confirmed: "We are delighted to take such a good and experienced player.

"Darren is a great acquisition in preparation for a busy and demanding domestic and European season."

Rovers moved quickly to get their man once Hodgson, who had tried to sign Italian Nicola Boselli from Atalanta, targetted Peacock - player-of-the-year on Tyneside in 1997.

Ewood chief executive John Williams said: "When a quality player is available on a 'Bosman' there is always going to be competition and you have to act quickly.

"As soon as Roy identified Darren as a target this is exactly what we did.

"We have signed a class player and achieved a sensible deal, a first-class combination."

If Ripley moves on it will end a six-season career at Ewood for the former Middlesbrough winger who played an instrumental part in Rovers' championship success when supplying the ammunition for Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton.

He forced his way back into the England set-up last season only to be hit by hamstring trouble. However, he recovered to help Rovers into Europe, breaking his remarkable goal-scoring drought with his first goal since April 1994 coming against West Ham last December.

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