Burnley snap up Derby defender Shackell for £1.1m (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley snap up Derby defender Shackell for £1.1m

9:20am Thursday 5th July 2012 in Sport By Chris Flanagan , Sports reporter

BURNLEY finally got their man last night after more than a year of trying as they completed the £1.1m signing of centre back Jason Shackell on a four-year deal.

Clarets boss Eddie Howe had made Shackell his number one defensive target this summer after missing out to Derby for the 28-year-old defender 12 months ago.

But Burnley had two bids rejected and looked set to be frustrated once more in their attempts to sign the 6ft 4in former Norwich and Barnsley man before Derby relented this week, with confirmation coming yesterday that they had accepted the Clarets’ latest offer.

The fee will remain undisclosed by both clubs but is understood to be in the region of £1.1m, only marginally higher than the previous highest offer made by Burnley.

Derby had been keen to line up a replacement for Shackell before allowing him to leave, which briefly delayed their official acceptance of the Clarets’ bid.

Charlton and Cardiff were reported to have had offers turned down last month and it is understood that one club contacted Derby again following Burnley’s latest move, but no bid was made.

Personal terms were finalised yesterday before the transfer was completed last night.

Howe had been keen to add experience to his defence and will be delighted to snap up a player who has impressed in the Championship with Derby, Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers in each of the past three seasons.

Shackell is Burnley’s biggest summer signing so far after the Clarets previously captured promising young stars Luke O’Neill and George Porter.

The completion of the deal could now allow Howe to turn his attention to bolstering his strike force, having admitted that he would like to bring in another forward as a replacement for the departed Jay Rodriguez.

Wolves striker Sam Vokes, who spent time on loan at Turf Moor last season, is known to be a summer target. Burnley return for pre-season training tomorrow, when the squad will undergo their annual series of fitness tests, and it is understood that the club hope Brian Jensen will be among those present - even though he is yet to agree a new deal.

Jensen is currently out of contract but was offered new terms at the end of the season and the Clarets still want to tie him to a deal for the 2012/13 campaign.

Burnley have made it clear that the 37-year-old will be welcome at training and are hopeful that Jensen will return before putting pen to paper on a contract in due course.

The Clarets have also been attempting to bring in Australian A-League goalkeeper of the year Mat Ryan on trial but the 20-year-old will not be in attendance tomorrow.

Ryan has not trained for the past month and his club Central Coast Mariners have concerns about letting him travel to England and risking injury as a result, so permission has not yet been received for the keeper to join Burnley on trial.

Ipswich, Bristol City and West Bromwich Albion also want to hand trial periods to the prospect, who was recently called into the Australian national squad for the first time.

Burnley duo Shay McCartan and Luke Conlan have been named in the Northern Ireland under 20s squad for the annual Milk Cup, which takes place between July 21 and 26.