BURNLEY today signed Sunderland's out-of contract John Mullin on a Bosman.

Manager Stan Ternent has been tracking the 23-year-old for some time and finally got his man this morning on a three-year contract.

Forward Mullin started his career at Turf Moor as a schoolboy but moved to Sunderland at the end of the 1994-95 season in a £40,000 deal.

The Bury-born forward made his name during Jimmy Mullen's reign and was a crowd favourite.

He also had a loan-spell back at Turf Moor under Chris Waddle during March and April, 1998.

Last season he made eight League appearances and four in the Worthington Cup for Sunderland , scoring twice, before undergoing surgery on a hernia and groin problem.

He returned after Christmas and had a successful spell in the reserves, helping the club clinch the Pontin's League Premier Division title.

But a move back 'home' to Turf Moor gives the versatile forward the chance to kick-start his career after a stop-start spell on Wearside.

"It's nice to come back. I have a great affection for the club and I always sort of knew I would come back and play," said Mullin.

"It doesn't seem five minutes since I went, that's the funny thing.

"I have followed Burnley ever since I left and been to a few games when I have had the chance.

"I am just pleased to be pulling a claret and blue shirt on again.

"I think I have developed. Being that bit older and having that bit more experience helps.

"When I left Burnley I was still very young and still growing. Though I don't think I'm old at 23 I feel that I have that bit of experience," Mullin said at the start of his loan spell. Meanwhile, Ternent is full of praise for the way Burnley fans have responded over season-ticket sales - and not just because it could provide him with extra cash to make more signings.

The Burnley manager is genuinely pleased that the supporters seem to be thinking on the same lines as himself, with a belief that a real push for promotion can be made in the coming season.

With season-ticket income having already 'burst the budget' - bringing in more income than even the board had allowed for in their annual estimates - there must be a possibility that more cash will be moved in the manager's direction.

He has actually only paid out money for one player this summer, Aston Villa striker Alan Lee, with defenders Mitchell Thomas and Dean West and now Mullin arriving at Turf Moor on Bosman-style free transfers.

But Ternent has not ruled out further signings, even though he seems quite happy with the squad he now has at his disposal following a number of signings made during the course of last season.

His reaction to news of the season-ticket sales was spontaneous.

"That's tremendous but the supporters are very good here," he said.

"I have already signed a few players and the fans obviously think we have a decent chance this season."

General manager Andrew Watson, who expects more season-ticket money to roll in before the start of the season, has also hinted that could mean a little extra leeway in the market.

Ternent added: "I always keep my eyes open for players and if they become available then we will have a go.

"But at the moment the main thing is to keep the squad strong and healthy."

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