Alexander the Great!

Burnley FC have signed 35-year-old Scottish international,Graham Alexander from Preston.The Clarets will pay Preston an initial £100,000 plus a further £100,000 payable a year from now. The deal involves a two-year contract. Alexander will now wear the number two shirt for the Clarets ,the shirt number recently vacated by Stephen Foster following his transfer to Barnsley.

The gaffer Steve Cotterill said:

'We agreed a fee with Preston on Wednesday night but I feel we get more than a right back in Graham.

'He can play well in midfield and it will depend who we are playing against and where as to where Graham may play in the team.

'He is a captain, a leader and a winner and all those are vital ingredients you want in your team on a Saturday.

'I have known Graham for a few years and we would have liked to have had him five or ten years ago.

'But we have got to the stage now where everything has been agreed, we have got him and we are going to enjoy him.

'I don't think there is a question over his quality and his age. He could be one of those players who has got even better with age.

'We are just delighted to have him.'

The Coventry-born defender started his career at Scunthorpe making almost 200 appearances for 'The Iron' before joining Luton Town in 1995.

He spent four years at Kenilworth Road before joining Preston in 1999.

Alexander has also scored 63 goals for North End and over 100 career goals, mainly from free kicks and penalties.

He was Preston's longest serving player and had recently celebrated his 400th appearance for the Lilywhites.

Due to his Scottish father,the defender could also play for Scotland and at the age of 31,he made his debut against Nigeria in April 2002.

He now has made 30 appearances for the Jocks!

Welcome aboard Graham

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