Millers in double transfer swoop

United made their second signing of the day after securing a deal for Thorpe, subject to medical and Football League ratification.

That followed the signing of Danny Collins earlier in the day, and Thorpe becomes the sixth summer signing after finalising the terms of his deal today at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The 22-year-old defender, who made his senior debut for Manchester United against West Ham last season, has also enjoyed a loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City.

Thorpe has represented England at under 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 levels, and can also operate in a central midfield role.

“My Chief Operating Officer Paul Douglas has just confirmed that Tom has put pen-to-paper in the last few minutes. This is a young man that I have targeted since the first day he was released by Manchester United,” boss Steve Evans said.

“There is no secret within the Millers that I tried to take young Tom on loan on a number of occasions last season, but at that time we couldn’t make it happen.

Collins, the former Nottingham Forest captain, is 34-year-old and brings a wealth of experience to the United rearguard and Evans is delighted to have captured a man who arrives with glowing reviews.

“The opportunity to sign Danny came up after I became aware that he’d been in negotiations with two other Championship clubs and we met up with him and had a chat,” he explained to www.themillers.co.uk.

“His references were impeccable in terms of his fitness, hunger and desire it all shone like a beacon of light in the ocean and that attracted me to him.”