ROVERS today completed the signing of Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, before he flew out to join his new teammates on tour.

Manager Graeme Souness has been chasing the former Trinidad and Tobago striker Yorke for several months.

The 30-year-old has signed a three year deal and the transfer fee is £2m which could rise to £2.6m dependent on appearances and team performance.

Chief executive John Williams said: "We are delighted to have signed Dwight.

"Graeme Souness had singled Dwight out as a target at the end of last season.

"It's taken a bit of time but we are very pleased to have him on board."

Yorke himself was also pleased that the long running saga was at an end.

"I can't tell you how delighted I am to be given this opportunity by Blackburn Rovers," he said.

"I have had a few options open to me but this move seems to be spot on for me.

"I have been very impressed with the manager and the way the club has dealt with it.

"Everyone knows that I am a pal of Andy Cole and I know a lot of the other lads on the Blackburn Rovers staff as well and I can't wait to get cracking.

"There is a passion burning inside me to do well for my new club."

Williams had a busy morning, tying up the loose ends with Manchester United over the transfer, agreeing personal terms with Yorke, before the striker underwent a medical.

Yorke then signed on the dotted line and immediately headed off to Manchester Airport where he was joining up with Rovers for their pre-season tour of Austria and Germany.

Rovers striker, and good friend of Yorke, Andy Cole is convinced his former team-mate is exactly the type of signing who could take Rovers onto the next level.

"Dwight is a quality player, like I've said before, and if you want to improve the team then you've got to bring in quality players because the club has to move forward," said the Ewood goal-ace earlier this month.