ADE Akinbiyi has revealed that Steve Cotterill's vision and persistence finally prised him away from Stoke City.

Burnley's new £600,000 signing chose to join the Clarets on a three-and-a-half year deal last night ahead of Championship rivals Sheffield United, who were stunned by the striker's snub.

And Akinbiyi, whose career moves now total over £12.5m, admits he is hoping for an upturn in fortunes at Turf Moor after seeing new contract negotiations turn sour at Stoke.

The 30-year-old hitman, who is in line for his Clarets debut at Preston North End tomorrow,said: "After speaking to Steve (Cotterill), he seemed like a man with ambition and thriving to achieve something, so that convinced me.

"I then spoke to Frank Sinclair and Steve's assistant, Dave Kevan, and that made my mind up. It took quite a while to sort out, because at the time I didn't really want to leave Stoke because I thought I was getting on well there.

"But a lot of stuff has happened, so I was given permission to speak to Sheffield United and Burnley. I liked what Steve had to say, I decided to sign and now I want to settle down quickly and get back to doing what I do best, which is working hard and helping defend from the front."

The former Wolves, Leicester and Crystal Palace striker added: "I didn't ever think I would come this far north in my career, but in football you've got to do what you've got to do and I just want to carry on playing football and let that do the talking.

"I like working hard and you're always going to get me running around like a headless chicken. That's what I'm all about, I like to work hard, work defences and try to get a goal or two from it."

Clarets boss Cotterill is convinced supporters won't have to wait long to witness the fruits of his labour after spending a week trying to get Akinbiyi and his advisors around a table and put forward his case.

And after sealing his first big money signing for the club, he backed the Hackney-born hitman to become an big crowd favourite.

Cotterill said: "We're delighted to have Ade on board and we think he's going to be a terrific signing because he's an infectious character and a leader.

"He's has had some big money moves throughout his career, but he's a very popular lad who is very fit and hard working so he'll fit into the dressing room very well."

Cotterill's joy spelled misery for bitter Blades boss Neil Warnock, who snapped: "It is a major blow as Ade knows he has been my number one target.

"We have spent a lot of time and effort in trying to persuade him to sign for us and I cannot see why a player wants to choose Burnley over us."

Meanwhile, strapping six-footer Akinbiyi will bring a presence to the Clarets attack after making Burnley his 10th league club, including loan spells at hereford and Brighton.

The former Norwich City trainee made just over 50 appearances for the Canaries before joining Gillingham in 1997. At Priestfield, he scored 28 goals in 63 league games to earn a £1.2m move to Bristol City following their promotion to the First Division a year later.

Another 23 goals followed the next season but, following the Robins' relegation, Wolves paid £3.5 million to take him to Molineux.

Akinbiyi struck 16 goals in 36 games for Wanderers before Leicester City forked out a whopping £5 million for the powerhouse striker after less than a year in the West Midlands.

The journey continued in February, 2002 with a £2.2m move to Crystal Palace, where a string of injuries restricted his appearances to just 11 starts before Pulis, the man who originally took him to Gillingham, eventually signed him for Stoke.