Burnley sign Jason Shackell

The Clarets have paid an undisclosed fee to sign the experienced defender from Championship rivals Derby County on a four-year deal.

Shackell was an ever-present for the Rams last season after previous spells with Barnsley, Wolves and Norwich City and captained Nigel Clough’s side in the absence of defensive partner Shaun Barker.

The 28-year-old brings the know-how of over 250 League appearances to Turf Moor and will add valuable experience and authority to Howe’s young squad after the Clarets’ chief won the chase to sign the Stevenage-born centre-back.

Shackell had been a target for a number of Burnley’s Championship rivals but Howe’s persistence in pursuing the commanding defender paid off as he persuaded the former Norwich and Barnsley skipper to commit his future to the Clarets in a significant transfer coup.

Runner-up as the supporters’ player of the year at Derby last season, Shackell had previously been Barnsley’s player of the year in his single season at Oakwell in 2010/11.

A model of consistency, the defender started his career in the youth system at Norwich, graduating to the first team and helping the Canaries clinch promotion to the Premier League in 2004.

Charlie Austin and Jason Shackell are now team-mates

After almost 150 games for City, Shackell joined Wolves in August, 2008, helping lay the foundations for another Championship title success before rejoining Norwich on loan.

He then moved to Doncaster on loan in his quest to keep playing first-team football and following a switch to Barnsley reinforced his credentials as one of the top defenders in the Championship.

Burnley now become the fifth ‘permanent’ club of his career and after successfully concluding talks with Howe, Shackell will meet up with his new team-mates on Friday when the Clarets report back for pre-season training.

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