Midfielder delighted to sign deal
New Burton Albion midfielder John Mousinho admits it wasn’t a difficult decision to sign for the club after agreeing a two-year deal last Friday.
The former Preston midfielder was shown around the club’s facilities by manager Gary Rowett, and Mousinho says he was impressed by what he saw.
“It’s fairly early on in the summer and to get it sorted is a bonus for me. I met the manager a few weeks ago and he showed me the facilities. I was really impressed with him and the club so it was a fairly easy decision to sign.
“He didn’t have to sell the club, which is one of the bonuses. I’ve seen how well they’ve done over the last couple of years and it’s a club on the up. Coupled with the playing side and the facilities it was an easy decision and I think it will be a great choice for me,” said Mousinho.
Mousinho’s signing comes as Rowett looks to build his squad early in the summer, something that the midfielder was happy to do.
“It can work both ways. For the clubs the earlier they can get players in, the better. I know the season only finished for Burton a couple of weeks ago but there’s no time to dwell on things, and that’s the same for players.
“The earlier you sort yourself out, the earlier you can prepare mentally and physically for the upcoming season.
“Having two promotions are career highlights, and nothing can beat getting promoted from any division,” he said.
Mousinho has twice been promoted before with Wycombe and Stevenage, and says the chance of a third promotion, as well as healthy squad competition, were big factors when he chose to sign for the Brewers.
“Being able to compete for something at the end of the season is huge for any footballer, and being in the promotion hunt is somewhere I want to be next season.
“If you sign for a club where you’re guaranteed to start, it’s never particularly healthy. The squad that has been assembled is pretty strong already and I’m hoping I can add to the team.
“Whenever there’s competition you’re in a good place. Through the season you’ll get injury and suspensions, so the stronger the squad, the more success you can have.
“It was an attraction for me to come to a club where there’s some good talent in the middle of the park, and I see it as a positive.”
Mousinho will be greeted by a familiar face when the squad return for pre-season training, having played with defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff when the pair were at Preston.
“I spoke to Shane and he had nothing but good things to say about the club and the manager. It’s an important thing because you can go and get a feel for the club, but sometimes you don’t know the culture and the inside information is great.
“Shane said it was a great club to sign for and it definitely helped.”