Evans delighted with first signing

ROTHERHAM United chief Steve Evans says the signing of Daniel Nardiello is a statement of intent of the club's ambitions.

The Millers beat off competition from clubs in League One and League Two to capture the 29-year-old former Manchester United, Barnsley and QPR man, making him their first signing of the summer.

And Evans, who wanted to sign Nardiello for Crawley last summer before he joined Exeter City, sees it as the first of a string of quality acquisitions.

He told the Advertiser: "The first one is always important and this shows we want hungry footballers in their prime who will buy into the project here.

"Exeter wanted to keep Daniel and he had lots of offers from other clubs—some in League One and some expected to figure at the top of League Two—so I've got to thank the chairman for helping me bring him in. It took five or six days of hard work but it was worth it."

Nardiello, who arrives on a free, was due to sign a two-year deal subject to a medical yesterday.

A striker or wide player, he made 30 starts for Exeter this season, scoring ten goals.