FORMER Burnley defender Jason Shackell has insisted the time was right for home to leave Turf Moor after he was officially unveiled as a Derby County player.

The centre back, captain and an almost ever-present during his three-year spell with the Clarets, moved to the iPro Stadium for a free believed to be above £3m.

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And the 31-year-old, who was heading into the last year of his contract with Burnley, said he felt the time was right to return to the East Midlands and Derby, where he played during the 2011-12 campaign.

“I loved my time at Burnley, we created some special memories together as the group,” Shackell said.

“It was a great experience.

“They’ve got some very good players and I had a great working relationship with the gaffer and staff there.

“I just thought it was time for me to move on.

“Looking at where Derby are at I think they will be up there challenging and that is where I want to be.”

Shackell also paid tribute to Clarets chief Sean Dyche for improving him as a player and admits he feels his season in the Premier League has also helped him progress.

“It was a great challenge,” said Shackell of the top flight campaign with the Clarets.

“We gave a good account of ourselves especially been one of the smaller clubs. It was going top be tough and we just fell short.

“I really enjoyed my football there.

“The gaffer at Burnley has helped me improve and brought me on another level because he added something to my game, that bit of steel that maybe I was missing so I have enjoyed with him.

“I think I have improved in the last three years.

“I am looking forward to still learning and improving.”

Shackell’s focus is now on helping his new club into the Premier League after they missed out on a top six finish last season.

He added: “It is a very exciting time to be at the club.

“They had a great squad anyway and have brought in a few very good additions to complement that - and I am just thrilled to be a part of it.

“I am really looking forward to the season and I know the rest of the lads are too.”

“There is a fantastic squad here and all we have to do now is make sure we go out there and work hard every game.

“If we do that, we will not be far away.