Post by gw on Jan 23, 2007 0:23:29 GMT -1
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has completed the signing of Stephen Warnock from Liverpool.
Hughes will use the 25-year-old as a replacement for Lucas Neill, who has joined West Ham.
"He has Champions League experience and has played a decent amount of Premier League games as well," Hughes told the club's website.
"He is naturally left-footed which gives us balance on the left side which we didn't have with Lucas Neill."
Hughes added: "I just like his attitude to the game. He wants to get up to people, to put pressure on people and really he just fits the bill as far as I'm concerned.
"Liverpool really appreciated the qualities that he has and they weren't too keen on allowing a good young English player to leave their football club.
"I think that is the reason maybe the deal hasn't been done before."
Meanwhile, Hughes is coming to terms with the loss of central defender Andre Ooijer for the remainder of the season.
The Holland international had a successful operation after suffering a broken leg and damaging ankle ligaments in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Manchester City.
Hughes added: "It is a blow to us all. We are all disappointed for Andre.
"He has been a real influence for us both on and off the field. He has brought a winning mentality to the club and is a guy of great experience. We have been benefited from that.
"His day-to-day work has been excellent. He doesn't allow his standards or those around him to drop.
"The operation went well and, once his body heals, he will back."
Hughes will use the 25-year-old as a replacement for Lucas Neill, who has joined West Ham.
"He has Champions League experience and has played a decent amount of Premier League games as well," Hughes told the club's website.
"He is naturally left-footed which gives us balance on the left side which we didn't have with Lucas Neill."
Hughes added: "I just like his attitude to the game. He wants to get up to people, to put pressure on people and really he just fits the bill as far as I'm concerned.
"Liverpool really appreciated the qualities that he has and they weren't too keen on allowing a good young English player to leave their football club.
"I think that is the reason maybe the deal hasn't been done before."
Meanwhile, Hughes is coming to terms with the loss of central defender Andre Ooijer for the remainder of the season.
The Holland international had a successful operation after suffering a broken leg and damaging ankle ligaments in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Manchester City.
Hughes added: "It is a blow to us all. We are all disappointed for Andre.
"He has been a real influence for us both on and off the field. He has brought a winning mentality to the club and is a guy of great experience. We have been benefited from that.
"His day-to-day work has been excellent. He doesn't allow his standards or those around him to drop.
"The operation went well and, once his body heals, he will back."