Bolton midfielder Holden urged Jones to seize the moment and leave Schalke at least until the end of the campaign.

Jones, 29, will have a run-out tomorrow for Blackburn in a closed doors match after his first training session today.

"I called Stuart Holden at Bolton and asked him about moving. He said that football in England is the best," the German-born midfielder revealed.

"Stuart told me I needed to take the chance. He said Blackburn is a good club with good players.

"I watched their game against Liverpool on my laptop. Liverpool have a bigger name but Blackburn looked a good team. They deserved to win.

"I know every game in England is fast and physical. Now I have a good chance to show what I can do. The players seem bigger and stronger here. They are very tough guys. Look at Christopher Samba.

"I want to play every game and that didn't happen at Schalke. Now I have a chance to play. I think being in England will suit my game. I am not scared."

Jones becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.

Manager Steve Kean said: "He's a fantastic signing for us. Anybody who knows him as a player, he's a natural ball winner, he's a very good passer as well.

"He's got a fantastic engine, he can go box-to-box, he's a genuine all round midfielder player."

Rovers will now await international clearance.

Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, made three friendly appearances for Germany before being cleared by FIFA to switch his allegiance to the United States in 2009.

He is eligible to play for the USA because his father is American. He made his debut for the country in October 2010.

Jones said: "I was born in Germany but went back to the States for seven years before returning after my parents separated. I then stayed with my mother.

"I played for the German national team then I had a chance to change and decided to play for America."

Meanwhile, Rovers owner Balaji Rao expects a "big-name" player to follow Jones to Ewood Park.

The club have already failed in ambitious bids to sign Ronaldinho and David Beckham this month, but Indian businessman Rao is continuing to aim high.

"We wanted Ronaldinho to come to the English Premier League but he did not want to come here," Rao was quoted as saying in The Times of India.

"Yes, we were trying to get Beckham much earlier. Then we went lax on it as we were pursuing Ronaldinho. Nevertheless, I assure you we'll get a big name playing for us pretty soon."