Barker completes switch to Derby

Derby County manager Nigel Clough has finally completed the £1m signing of Blackpool centre-back Shaun Barker.

Nottingham Forest were also keen to sign the long-time Rams target and spoke to the 26-year-old.

But Barker, who has signed a three-deal at Pride Park, told BBC Radio Derby: "I took a bit of time and to be honest I thought Derby wanted me more.

"I spoke to Nigel and everything I want as a footballer he was telling me this club wants to do."

Chairman of football Adam Pearson added: "It's important for us, it's a statement that this club is ambitious and that we are trying to bring in players that will take us forward.

"Nottingham Forest were not the only club in for him so it's important we've got him as much as anything else."

Barker said he was excited to be joining a club with such a big support and proud history.

"This has the potential to be a massive club. There is nothing bigger in the Championship," he told East Midlands Today.

"This is a club that should be challenging this season. It obviously didn't happen last season but if we have a good start this season we can go as far as we want to.

606: DEBATE

" We've signed a decent player for an area of the team that deperately needed reinforcing "

"I don't want to be at a big club that is struggling at the wrong end of the division and I don't believe we will be."

Barker will make his first appearance in a Derby shirt in Saturday's pre-season friendly against Chesterfield.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Derby fans' views on 606
BBC Derby sport
Derby weather
Derby County
BBC Sport Championship
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites