Scunthorpe break club transfer record to sign Hibs defender Jones

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 12:56

SCUNTHORPE United have broken their transfer record to sign centre-back Rob Jones from Hibernian.

The 6ft 7in defender has penned a three-year deal after joining for an undisclosed fee, which was confirmed as a record amount.

Jones, 29, becomes manager Nigel Adkins' third addition of the summer and represents a major coup for the Iron.

"I wouldn't have moved to the club if I didn't think it could stay in the Championship," he told Scunthorpe's official website.

"It feels great to sign for Scunthorpe United. It's nice to be back in England and in an area which is familiar after my time at Grimsby.

"I wouldn't necessarily say where the club is was a factor behind the move, it's where the club is going.

"I came down on Wednesday and the move just felt right for me. The right noises came from the football club. I was interested in coming here and I've now cemented that."

Hibs chairman Rob Petrie praised the contribution of Jones, who was captain at Easter Road.

Petrie told his club's official website, www.hibs.co.uk: "Rob leaves with all our best wishes.

"Rob has led by example on and off the pitch. We could have asked for nothing more from him than the professionalism, commitment and leadership he demonstrated, particularly after the distractions in the transfer window last January.

"This is a move that Rob wants for family and footballing reasons and gives a return to the club at the right time.

"Rob will be remembered fondly as a cup winning captain, scoring with a towering header and lifting the CIS Cup in 2007.

"I would like to thank Rob for all that he has done for Hibernian Football Club and to extend the club's best wishes to him and his family and to wish him continuing success in his football career in the English Championship."