Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Allen beats off League One interest to secure Burton signature

League Two promotion hopefuls Gillingham have completed the signing of veteran forward Deon Burton on a one-year deal after beating off interest from an unnamed League One side.

Burton returns to England following a spell in Azerbaijan playing under Tony Adams at Gabala FC, but joins the Gills on a free transfer after leaving in the summer.

Manager Martin Allen believes the 35-year-old’s experience will benefit the younger members of his squad.

 “He's got a great attitude, he'll be good for our younger players and he will be good around the club.” Allen told the club website.

“This has been going on now for a good few weeks and the chairman (Paul Scally) managed to pull it off.”

The former Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday striker’s last campaign in England was for Kent neighbours Charlton Athletic three seasons ago, in which the former Jamaican international scored 14 goals in 44 appearances as the Addicks reached the League One playoffs.

Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Burton has been attracting interest from higher level opposition, but chose to move to the Priestfield Stadium as the Gills look to make it third time lucky in their attempt to win promotion back into League One.

Allen continued: “We have been after Deon for a few weeks whilst he's been training at a Division One club, they offered him a deal but our chairman offered him a better deal and we are delighted he has agreed to sign for us.”

The Kent club face a difficult start to the new campaign with three of their first four matches away from home.

Gillingham travel to Championship outfit Bristol City in the Capital One Cup before a home league meeting with Bradford, prior to two difficult trips to Wycombe and Dagenham & Redbridge.

The arrival of Burton will give the Gills a much needed goal threat in anticipation of a promotion winning campaign.

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