MIDFIELDER Matty Lund will join Burton Albion on a two-year deal after his contract expires at Rochdale at the end of June.
The 26-year-old becomes Nigel Clough’s first new signing of the summer as the Brewers look forward to another season in the Sky Bet Championship.
The former Stoke City trainee had stints at Hereford, Oldham, Bristol Rovers and Southend United before he joined Rochdale in June 2013.
Lund scored ten goals in 37 games for Rochdale last season, including an impressive hat-trick against Northampton to earn his side a 3-2 victory. He made a total of 149 appearances in a Rochdale shirt, scoring 22 goals.
The Northern Ireland international said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started. It’s great to get it done early and give me some time to concentrate on the start of the season.
“Playing in the Championship has been an aim of mine for a couple of seasons and it’s an opportunity for me to show what I can do at a higher level and I want to show Burton, my family and friends that I can make that step up.”
Manager Nigel Clough said: “He’s a goal-scoring midfielder and there aren’t many of them about. Not many midfielders get double figures of goals these days, He complements what we already have in that department and should fit in well.
“He has good experience in League One and is an international as well. He’s very keen to make the step up to the Championship to further his international aspirations. If he gets regular games at this level that will help him establish himself with Northern Ireland so this is a good opportunity for him. And once again it’s about his character as well as his ability. He will fit into the dressing room we already have here.”