Iron manager Graham Alexander is delighted to have completed the signing of defender Cameron Burgess for an undisclosed fee from Fulham.
The 21-year-old has penned a three-year deal to become the club’s first signing of the summer. In an interview with Scunthorpe-United.co.uk, Alexander spoke about what he feels the centre-back can offer.
HIS INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE SIGNING…
GA: We let some players go, so we’re looking to strengthen the defensive department. Cameron played a full season last year out on loan, and we know a lot about him. He’s a player who is desperate to kick his career on now. He’s been out on loan from Fulham and wants to go out and be his own man, and find the best club to do that. After speaking to him on a few occasions, we’ve all decided this is the best club for him to do that. We’re delighted to get him on board and he’s a lad who’s already proven how good he is. He has lots more potential and we feel we can improve him here. He can certainly play a massive part in what we do in the future.
GA: Cameron ticks a lot of boxes for us, he has great stature and can play. He had a full season last year at Bury and at Oldham, and showed what he’s about. He’s coming in at a great age and his motivation to come in and do well was there for us when we spoke to him. We’re delighted to get him on board.
BURGESS IMPRESSED LAST SEASON…
GA: I wouldn’t say I pay too much attention to the opposition when we’re playing a game because I’m concentrating on the players that are playing for us and their performance. When you analyse the opponents before we play them, we look at the team in-depth, and he’s someone who stood out when we watched the opposition and we’ve kept an eye on him. We spoke to him at the end of the season and we’re delighted he’s chosen us because he’s a good player and we look forward to working with him. He knows he needs to compete to a good level because we have two very good centre-halves here already in Charlie Goode and Murray Wallace. We want a competitive squad.
TALKING WITH POSSIBLE FURTHER ADDITIONS…
GA: We’re constantly in contact with a few players, their representatives, and their clubs if they’re attached to somebody. Basically, we’re waiting for the go-ahead from the players or the clubs to make the business happen. Only time will tell how long they take to get over the line, but we have a few options we’re currently in contact with.
ON THE SQUAD IN GENERAL…
GA: I feel we still have a good portion of a very good squad left anyway, so it’s not like we needed drastic action. There are certain parts of the squad that are light. Cameron coming in will strengthen the defensive department but there is still work to be done. There is no point in rushing to get your work done and then having a nice holiday. I’d rather the people here (myself included) worked through the summer to get the right players in. Whether it takes three weeks or three months, then we have to take that time to get them in. We want to go for the better ones, that’s the issue here. When you go for the better players you have competition for their signing so it can take time.