ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has laid the foundations for his side's promotion push by snapping up Morecambe midfielder Paul Burns on a Bosman-style free.

As we exclusively revealed three months ago, Stanley old-boy Burns was top of Coleman's summer wanted list.

And now the Crown Ground chief has got his man after beating a trio of Conference clubs to his signature.

"We needed to add to the squad and I am hoping this is the first of two or three new signings," said Coleman. "Paul has got great pedigree, he has played in the Conference for the last four years, and I thought he was excellent at that level.

"Now he will have to adapt his game a little with dropping down a level but I know he is more than capable of doing that."

Southport, Hednesford and Nationwide Conference newcomers Leigh RMI were all in for the 31-year-old.

But the chance to link up again with former Morecambe colleague Coleman and the lure of a return to the Crown Ground proved too good to miss.

"Paul had spoken to Leigh and the attraction of staying in the Conference was a big pull for him," said Coleman.

"But he really enjoyed his previous stint at Stanley and, when I was thinking about joining Accrington last season, Paul was one of the people who told me to go for it because it was a great club.

"A lot of our fans will remember him of old but he is a different player to when he left here.

"He was an out and out winger then but he his defensive attributes have since improved a hell of a lot so the fans maybe in for a bit of a shock."

Burns put pen to paper on a two year contract with the UniBond First Division champions last night. And now Coleman is closing in on a couple of other targets as he attempts to assemble a squad capable of winning the Premier Division.

"With the type of players we are attracting to the club, we've got to go out looking to win the league next season," said Coleman.

"And I think Paul is the kind of signing who can give us that chance.

"He will bring valuable experience and, hopefully, that can rub off on the rest of the lads."