Lafferty ready for Burnley challenge

English Championship side Burnley have completed the signing of Derry City left-back Daniel Lafferty on a two-and-a-half year deal, for a fee in the region of £150,000.

 Former Celtic player Lafferty, who scored seven goals for Derry last season, had been tipped for a move to Derby County in December but has expressed his delight at the move to Turf Moor.

“I’m delighted to have got the move over here. Burnley is a big club and I’m happy that I’m getting the chance to play at this level”, he told Extratime.ie reporter Rory Kelly,.

Having seen a trial period with Derby before Christmas cut short due to injury, the 22 year-old was approached by the Clarets recently, and then invited to train with the club for a number of days.

“When Burnley got in touch with me, they asked me to come over for a few days to train and see what it was like. I’m really thankful that Derry City never stood in my way, and that they gave me permission to go and check it out. I trained for a bit with the first team, and picked up an ankle injury which hampered me a bit, but fortunately I did well and they were pleased with me.

“It all happened so fast. I had been preparing myself for the season with Derry, and now having got the move, I’ll be working hard to force my way into the team.”

The former Northern Ireland U21 international has praised his former club as the reason he has been given the opportunity to play across the water again, and cites the League of Ireland as a ‘shop window’ for teams in England and Scotland.

“Derry City is a great club, and they gave me an opportunity after I left Celtic. Obviously I leave with a heavy heart, because it’s a great club and not only was I a player, but a fan as well. Stephen (Kenny) and Declan (Devine) really had a lot of faith in me, and I’ll have fond memories of being at the club.

“The league is becoming a real window of opportunity for players. There have been a number of players that have moved recently, and they seem to be getting their chance now. James McClean is a prime example of that. He worked really hard at Derry, and it’s all paying off for him now. The league’s reputation is growing every year and it isn’t a step back at all.”

With current Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill among his admirers, Lafferty admits that he would like to play international football but says that establishing himself at Turf Moor is his main objective for the time being.

“My main priority is to be playing football. I’m planning on working hard to break into the first team, and then who knows, maybe get an international call-up. But my main intention for now is to do well with Burnley.”