Reilly joins the Brewers on a two-year-deal after leaving his home-town club.
He joined Birmingham City's youth system at the age of seven, and began a two-year scholarship in July 2010.Callum Reilly was given a first-team squad number in January 2012, and his first competitive involvement came when he was named among the substitutes for the third-round FA Cup-tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers, remaining unused. Reilly made his first-team debut on 28 January, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Jordon Mutch in the fourth-round FA Cup-tie against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, with Birmingham already 4–0 ahead.
With Burton Albion being only his second ever club, Reilly admits it was sad to leave Birmingham but it is what is best for him.
“It was sad but you have got to think about what is best for yourself and where you are going to get better game time.
“You have to think how you are going to make yourself a better player I think that all came in to the move.”
So how did it all come about? Well Hasselbaink has kept in close contact with former Brewers boss Gary Rowett after he departed the Pirelli Stadium back in October 2014.
Reilly and Johnstone have both spent time with Hasselbaink at Burton due to their parent club Birmingham City sending them out on loan.
A step down the leagues is just what Reilly needs to get some game time and improve as a player and he is thankful that Hasselbaink already knew what qualities he had.
“Jimmy knew who I was anyway.
“My agent contacted the club and Jimmy had spoken to me himself on the phone and I was very impressed with what he had to say to me on the phone.
“He said he wanted to make me a better player.
“As a player, the best thing you want to hear is the manager saying he is going to make you a better player.
“His plans for the season is to do well.”