Clarets outcast Nik Michopoulos will feature in the Champions League next week after joining Cypriot outfit Omonia Nicosia.

The Greek keeper had been considering a return to English football after being released by the Clarets last summer.

But the 33-year-old has since snubbed offers from Crystal Palace and another First mystery Division club to sign a one-year deal with the Cypriot champions.

And Michopoulos will now line up in goal for Omonia when they take on Kazakhstan minnows Irtysh Pavlodar in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Michopoulos said: "Omonia are playing Champions League football and that was obviously the main attraction.

"I spoke to several clubs in England, but at the end of the day they were not offering good money, so I was forced to look elsewhere.

"Omonia are the champions of Cyprus and five or six play for the national side and I was delighted when they asked me to sign.

" We have many international players from Germany, Hungary and Slovakia, so the quality of football is very good."

Meanwhile, I can reveal that speculation that Burnley are set to swoop for Wolves midfielder Alex Rae are well wide of the mark.

Hopes had been raised that the Scottish international, 33, was set to sign for the Clarets after being spotted in the town this summer.

But Rae was visiting friends in the area.