Blackburn replace Duff with Irish team-mate Reid

Blackburn Rovers replaced Damien Duff when they sealed the signing of his Republic of Ireland team-mate Steven Reid for 2.5 million pounds (4 million dollars).

The 22-year-old, a member of the Ireland squad that reached the second round of the World Cup finals, rejected a late bid by Premiership newboys Portsmouth to sign a four-year contract with Blackburn from First Division Millwall.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness said Reid's signing along with those of Australian international Brett Emerton and Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso would make Rovers a stronger unit this season even with the departures of Duff and England international David Dunn.

"I feel we will be stronger than this time last year," he said.

"We've signed Steven and I'm delighted to have him on board. I think Lorenzo and Brett are good signings for us as well."

While Souness said Reid, scorer of two goals in his nine Ireland appearances, was not as unpredictable as Duff he added he was more versatile.

"Steven's a valuable signing for us because he can play on both flanks.

"Hell give us several different options. Hes also a good age in that hes only 22.

"Hes not really like Damien Duff, who is more of a trickster.

"But he is a hard-working player, similar in many ways to Brett Emerton, and Im sure hell do very well for us."

Souness is interested in making more new signings, but insisted he would not rush to spend the money raised from the sales of Duff and Dunn.

"We've had five players leave the club and I think we've replaced four, so we've got a bit to go," said the former Liverpool, Rangers and Galatasaray manager.

"We've not spent any of that money yet - this is money we set aside.

"We are going to try and be cautious. I've got confidence in the squad and I'm not going to rush out and spend money," added Souness, who learnt on Tuesday he had been fined 10,000 pounds by the Football Association (FA) for his second dismissal last season in the League Cup clash with Wigan.