BURNLEY midfielder Damian Matthew has joined Second Division rivals Northampton Town on a free transfer - six months after rejecting a £55,000 move to the Cobblers.

Matthew has been unable to agree terms with the Clarets and will sign a two-year deal with Town on July 1.

The 27-year-old, who moves to the Sixfields Stadium for nothing under the Bosman ruling, had talks with Town boss Ian Atkins yesterday and agreed to join the club which tried to buy him at Christmas.

Matthew rejected the chance then, but accepted Atkins' offer this time around, after turning down a two-year contract at Turf Moor.

He had said that he would be prepared to stay with Burnley and try and win an improved deal but as an out-of-contract player remained open to offers and decided he would be better off with Northampton who lost out in the Second Division play-off final at Wembley last season.

"It's always nice to go somewhere where you feel really wanted. Northampton have had two really good seasons and hopefully that will continue," Matthew said today.

"It's a smaller ground but they have got a good team spirit and I think it's something Burnley could learn from. It's also a smaller club but with team spirit it shows what can be done."

Matthew will also be reunited with Northampton coach Kevin Wilson, who was a team-mate of his at Chelsea.

"That was one of the factors that helped me decide," added Matthew, who joins experienced Charlton defender Phil Chapple in signing for the Cobblers.

Matthew had just re-established himself in the Clarets' midfield when Northampton made their first approach for the former England under-21 international.

And at the time he said he wanted to see the job through with Burnley. "I wanted to leave with my head held high and I think I have done that. We struggled but we stayed up," Matthew said.

"As a character I would not have left them (at Christmas) because that would have been admitting I was part of the failure. That's why I am a bit disappointed they have not shown any loyalty."

Matthew, who started 26 games for Burnley last season and gave arguably his best performance when the chips were down in the final day decider against Plymouth, obviously felt that within the Turf Moor wage structure he was worth a better deal than that offered.

"I have said all along that I was a bit disappointed with what Burnley offered.

Two of Burnley's fixtures for the forthcoming season have been moved. The home Bank Holiday clash with Millwall has been put back a day to Tuesday, September 1 and the Clarets will now visit Colchester on Friday, October 9, rather than the following day. Both games kick-off at 7.45pm.

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