MOHAMED Camara has picked up the perfect birthday present after joining Burnley on a two-year deal.

And the Clarets have former England star Paul Ince to thank for securing the signature of the former Wolves defender.

Camara, 28, tomorrow, last night put pen to paper after snubbing Bradford and Oldham in favour of a Turf Moor move.

And the French-speaking Guinean left back revealed he grilled veteran Wanderers midfielder Ince before making his final decision.

Camara said: "I spoke to Paul Ince about going to Burnley and he told me what a great club it was.

"Paul said his great friend, Ian Wright, had a fantastic time there and I would not regret joining them.

"I also knew Paul Gascoigne played for them, so there must be something good about the club to attract such fantastic players.

"Bradford and Oldham also wanted me, but once I had spoken to the Burnley manager, Stan Ternent, my mind was made up because I had a good feeling about the place."

Camara will be remembered fondly by Wolves fans recalling his high-speed

rampaging runs down the left flank, particularly during the second half of

the 2001-02 season when he displaced Lee Naylor and played 27 of his 45 League games for the club.

Ternent's close friend, Wolves' manager Dave Jones, also recommended the Clarets to Camara, who becomes the first new new arrival of what is expected to be a busy summer of signings.

And Camara, released by Wolves after spending a season on the sidelines following an initial operation to remove flakes of bone in his right knee, then after suffering a reaction in training, intends to make up for lost time by sparking a play-off push at Burnley.

The lanky former Lille defender - who ironically made his Wolves debut against the Clarets three years ago following his £100,000 signing - said: "Last season was great for Wolves but a frustrating one for me.

"I was injured for so long and ended up not playing any first team games. I am 28 now and I want to play in every game because I need regular football.

"The Burnley manager said he has wanted to sign me for a long time, right back from my early days at Wolves.

"He has told me that the number three shirt is mine and I have been in the gym every day because I want to show the Wolverhampton people what they have missed and the Burnley people what a good player I am.

"Speaking to Stan, he says that the play-offs are the minimum requirement next season, and certainly I will be looking to get Burnley promoted."

Camara is the first of what is likely to be up to eight new arrivals at Turf Moor following a major overhaul which saw the departure of 15 players this summer.