Danny's the boy for Rovers, says Singh (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Danny's the boy for Rovers, says Singh

10:12am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

DANNY Murphy will prove a “very important signing both on and off the field” for Blackburn Rovers, according to new global advisor Shebby Singh.

Rovers confirmed Murphy’s two-year deal yesterday morning, with his Fulham contract expiring, as their Championship preparations finally began in earnest.

The 35-year-old midfielder has said the ambitions of owners Venky’s and boss Steve Kean lured him to Ewood Park, despite significant Premier League interest.

Singh declined to comment on other transfer speculation, but the Lancashire Telegraph understand Newcastle United striker Leon Best is next on Rovers’ radar.

A price in the region of £3million is already understood to have been agreed with the Magpies and Best is expected to hold talks with the club in the next couple of days.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is believed to have also given Rovers permission to speak to midfielder Dan Gosling about a potential loan deal.

Another player understood to be on Rovers’ radar is Scottish international striker Steven Naismith, who now claims to be a free agent due to Rangers’ financial problems.

Murphy turned down lucrative offers from Premier League sides QPR and West Ham United to complete his Rovers switch as owners Venky’s look to prove their fierce critics wrong.

Singh said: “It is a good signing for the club. He is a player who will bring calm and composure to the midfield.

“Not only is he a good player, he is very, very good in organising the team. We have got a player with vast experience and who will help the players around him.

“He has the ability to improve players around him on the pitch. He will very important for the club both on and off the pitch.”

The former England international midfielder has surprised many by opting to drop out of the Premier League, with a number of top flight clubs understood to be tracking him.

But, after talks with Rovers’ supremo Singh and boss Kean on Friday, he insists he was in no doubt Ewood Park was the right place to move.

Murphy said: “I am absolutely delighted to be signing for Blackburn Rovers.

“When meeting Steve Kean I soon realised the passion, enthusiasm and ambition he has for the club and how much he wants the team to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.

“His desire to get me to the club was a huge factor in my decision to join. The owners were also very passionate about their desire to move Blackburn forward as a club and create a squad that is able to achieve promotion.

“I’m excited about my new challenge and can’t wait to get started. Now, my new challenge is to help Blackburn get promoted and repay the manager’s and the owners’ faith in me.”

Kean added: “Being able to bring Danny on board is a massive boost. He is a model professional, who has a real hunger to keep on playing football.

"This is a pivotal signing for us.”