 Aussie international Brett Emerton signed for Blackburn Rovers today - despite a late bid by Newcastle United to hijack the deal. Newcastle would have topped Blackburn's wage offer - but Emerton opted for Ewood Park because Graeme Souness promised him a place in midfield rather than in defence. United, on the other hand, wanted the versatile player as a right-back. Emerton has now signed a four-year contract after Blackburn had earlier agreed a fee of £2.75 million with Dutch club Feyenoord. And Rovers chief executive John Williams revealed they were "absolutely delighted" with Emerton's arrival. And the news was relayed to Souness, on holiday in Spain. "We've done this deal quickly and at today's prices Emerton is a great signing for us," he said. As well as United, North East rivals Middlesbrough also made a late bid for Emerton. But the 24-year-old still went ahead and joined Blackburn where his Aussie pal, full-back Lucas Neill, signed a new deal this week. Blackburn flew in Emerton on Monday and within 24 hours had arranged a work permit for him. One of the keys to the deal was the fact that Blackburn were able to agree a £2.75 million deal for the player with Feyenoord - 12 months after United had an £8 million bid turned down. But United revised their valuation and were only prepared to pay around £2 million for a player who played against them for Feyenoord in the Champions League games last season. Emerton's decision is good news for Nobby Solano who is keen to stay at St James's, although he must try and resolve the problems caused by his insistence that he still wants to play for Peru. | 
