STUART Ripley's £1.5 million move from Blackburn Rovers to Southampton was finally completed today after a weekend of talks and medicals, writes PETER WHITE.

Ripley met Southampton last Wednesday then travelled South on Friday for further discussions about personal terms.

He also took the opportunity to look at houses in the area in case the deal went through.

Ewood secretary Tom Finn confirmed: "The deal has been done, and Stuart will leave us for Southampton."

Although it has taken some time to settle since Rovers accepted Southampton's bid, that is not surprising.

Ripley, who was Kenny Dalglish's first major signing after promotion was achieved to the Premier League in 1992, was not particularly looking for a move away from Ewood.

Both he and his family were very settled in the area, despite continuing speculation over the last couple of years that he was on the verge of a return to Middlesbrough.

When Rovers accepted the bid from Saints, however, it signalled that he might not be as regular a member of the first team in the new season as he has been in the past.

And, at this stage of his career, he needs to play at senior level.

Ripley figured in a majority of the Premiership games last season and has made well over 200 senior appearance for the club.

Very popular with the fans, he also ended a lengthy goal drought last season. His goal against West Ham was his first for three and a half years. Ironically, it was Ripley who scored Rovers' first-ever Premier League goal, at Crystal Palace in August 1992.

The fee, for a player who has won two England caps, means that Rovers will show a profit on the 30-year-old winger who has given them six years of excellent service since moving from Teesside for £1.2 million.

At the time, that was a club record signing, beaten a matter of days later by the capture of Alan Shearer.

Meanwhile, rumours have swept the area that Roy Hodgson is about to make a sensational swoop for French World Cup star Zinedine Zidane once the competition is over.

But that is all they are - rumours.

No doubt Rovers, and many other clubs, might well fancy adding the Juventus attacking midfielder to their assets but he is out of range.

The name of Scottish midfielder John Collins also continues to be the subject of speculation.

There is nothing in that one either, though Middlesbrough and Newcastle are both believed to be interested in bringing him back to Britain. Rovers are back in pre-season training this week, though there are a few absentees from the main sessions.

Billy McKinlay and Jason Wilcox are recovering from hernia operations while those players involved in the World Cup have been given permission to report back a week later than the rest.

That involves Tim Flowers, Colin Hendry and Kevin Gallacher.

Adam Reed, released by Rovers at the end of last season, has re-signed for Darlington on a two-year contract.

The deadline for season-ticket holders to guarantee their own seats has now passed. Anyone requiring further information on season tickets can visit Ewood or call the hotline free on 0321-101010.

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