PAUL COOK admitted it doesn't get better than this after confirming his place in Burnley's plans for the new season.

Cook's protracted transfer from First Division Stockport County was finally completed in time for him to start pre-season training with the Clarets today.

And the vastly experienced midfielder insisted that he had never been in any doubt where he wanted to continue his career.

It took some careful negotiating to complete the free transfer of County's record signing but as far as Cook was concerned, Burnley was always his first choice.

"I am absolutely delighted," he said. "I think it was always going to be sorted but until it finally happens you can never say. Things can change very quickly in football.

"I always wanted to come. That was never a problem.

"I had a couple of other options where I could have made myself available but if a club like Burnley comes for you at this stage of your career you couldn't get better than that."

The former Coventry and Wolves midfielder put himself at the top of manager Stan Ternent's summer shopping list thanks to an impressive 12-game loan spell at the end of last season.

The Clarets lost just once with the 32-year-old play-maker in their ranks and his permanent signing will be a major tonic to Burnley's promotion aspirations when the new campaign gets underway next month.

However, Cook was quick to point out that Burnley's revival wasn't just down to him and Tom Cowan, who linked up with the Clarets at the same time and was back alongside new signings Dean West and Mitchell Thomas as Burnley launched their preparations today. "A lot was made of me and Tom and then going on that unbeaten run. But you can't do anything with one or two players," Cook added.

"All of a sudden Andy Payton started scoring goals for fun, the lads at the back started keeping clean sheets and Glen Little started to perform as he can.

"It was a combination of everything coming right. Another thing was the manager having players to pick from, Ronnie Jepson came back and brought a bit of fire and all of a sudden you're away from home with 18 lads in the dressing room, which is great for the manager."

And Cook also insisted that while the Clarets can be positive about building on last season's storming finish, they won't be taking anything for granted.

"The most important thing is that it's still going to be hard," he said.

"You can't get carried away but hopefully with another couple of acquisitions and the support the club gets if we can continue where we left off that would be terrific."

Meanwhile, Burnley reserves have added an extra pre-season game to their itinery and will play at Northern League club Morpeth Town on Saturday, July 24.

Colne Clarets are already taking bookings for the Clarets pre-season game at Carlisle United on July 31 and for the opening Nationwide League match of the season at Wycombe a week later. Anyone interested should contact Alan Beecroft on 01282 864147.

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