BURY have sealed a major coup by snapping up prolific striker Andy Morrell on a free transfer from Blackpool.

Morrell, who was Blackpool's top scorer in 2006-07 with 20 goals, has signed a two-year contract with Alan Knill's side and will go straight into the squad for Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie against Burnley at Gigg Lane.

“We are delighted he has come to us,” said Knill. “He had plenty of other offers, he could have stayed in the Championship, but he likes what we want to do and he believes what we are trying to do.

“If we had heard any other team in the division had signed Andy Morrell, we would have said it was a decent signing so it's a great effort from the football club to get him here.

“We have signed somebody with a track record of scoring goals that has played at a really good level. He could still play at that level but he has chosen to come to us.

“It isn't because we have thrown the most money at him. He has joined us because he wants to be part of what we are trying to do here.”

The 33-year-old striker shot to prominence when he scored 34 goals in 45 games for Wrexham in the 2002-03 season.