SHAKERS hero Dean Kiely has described his £1M transfer to Charlton Athletic as a 'dream move'.

The 28-year-old crowd favourite admits it was a wrench to say goodbye to Gigg Lane after three memorable years, but is determined to realise his ambition of playing Premiership football.

Kiely joined the Addicks on Monday after a day of talks with chairman Richard Murray and assistant manager Mervyn Day, securing a five year contract and bumper pay rise in the process.

It means an immediate return to Division One for the classy 'keeper after suffering the nightmare of relegation with Bury less than three weeks ago.

Speaking from the Republic of Ireland training camp, where he is preparing for forthcoming Euro 2000 games, he explained how quickly the deal had been struck.

"The two clubs spoke at the end of last week and I found out on Sunday that I would be travelling down for a meeting," he told the Bury Times. "I had talks and it was all very smooth and went through no problem.

"I am very excited. I think I am going to an ambitious club that will hopefully get back in the Premiership next year. They will certainly start as one of the favourites to go up.

"Playing in the Premiership has always been my plan - and sooner rather than later. The club shares that ambition."

Kiely is Charlton manager Alan Curbishley's first summer signing as his side regroups after the disappointment of relegation from the top flight.

He is only the third £1M recruit at The Valley, following Neil Redfearn and Graham Stuart last season, but that doesn't concern chairman Murray who described him as 'the best goalkeeper in Division One last season'.

Charlton number one Simon Royce is unlikely to be fit for the start of the new season as he recuperates from a serious knee problem, while Andy Petterson has been released and Mike Salmon did not play this year through injury.

Kiely is, therefore, likely to be contending with Sasa Ilic for the starting position come August.

"There is competition for places at any football club. It is that competition which brings the best out of you," he said.

It has been an exciting few days for 'Deano'. Only last week he married girlfriend Tracey in Las Vegas and on Monday, while the ink was still drying on his new contract, he jetted off to Ireland to join Mick McCarthy's squad.

"The wedding in Vegas became the honeymoon as well," he said.

"It all seems to be happening at the moment. I am in Ireland until June 9 - we are playing Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia and Macedonia - and then it will be time to start house hunting. "Whilst it will be hard to move down south, I look at it as a bit of an adventure. You can't put down permanent roots in football. You have to be flexible when you are in the middle of your career."

Salford-born Kiely played a total of 154 games for the Shakers, missing only one - and that was due to an international call-up.

He started out as a schoolboy at West Brom and began his senior career as a trainee at Coventry. He didn't break into first team football until he moved on to York City in March 1990. He made 239 appearances for the Minstermen, winning promotion to Division Two via the play-offs at Wembley in 1993.

He joined Bury at the beginning of the 1996/97 season for £125,000, a figure set by a tribunal, and won a Division Two championship medal in his first season at Gigg.

In that dream first term he kept an incredible 22 clean sheets and saved two penalties - including a famous block at Watford which ensured the Shakers' promotion to Division One.

"That moment stands out on its own as the highlight of my career," he said. "I will never forget that day."

The following season Kiely was again an ever-present in Stan Ternent's side as the club defied the odds to avoid relegation. His super season culminated in his first call-up to the Republic squad.

Whilst promotion at Watford was his greatest high, what turned out to be his final game for the club, against Port Vale on May 9 this year, was the lowest.

Despite keeping his 18th clean sheet in 45 league outings, another outstanding season for the 'keeper concluded in relegation. As he completed an emotional lap of honour to the cheers of his adoring fans, the realisation that this was the end of his Shakers love affair hit home.

"In the back of my mind I realised it was probably time to move on," he said.

"I like the fact that it has all happened amicably. It is in my interest and it is in Bury's interest and everyone is happy. That is a nice feeling and I hope I will always keep that special relationship with the supporters of the club.

"I have had three great years at Bury and when people pay money to shout and cheer your name it is wrong to ignore them, which is why I have always tried to get involved and do my bit.

"The acid test will be when I play at Gigg Lane in the future. I would like to think I am appreciated by the fans."

Kiely admits he won't be the only player to head out of Bury this summer, with skipper Chris Lucketti a certainty to follow him, but he still believes the club can bounce back.

"It is vital they make a good start next season," he added. "I feel the players there and the people in charge know the right way to do it. I will be looking out for them every week."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.