Gray Signs

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has today finally acquired the services of Sunderland striker Andy Gray after chasing the player for some months following the sale of Ade Akinbiyi. The Sunderland striker, 29, has signed on loan until the end of the season and will then sign permanently in the close season.

He started his career by coming through the ranks at Leeds United, but with chances limited at Leeds, former Burnley manager Stan Ternent took Gray to Bury on loan before he signed for Nottingham Forest for £200,000 in August 1998.

Gray played a lot of his time in midfield at the City Ground, before being loaned out to Preston and Oldham and then being given a free transfer and signing for Bradford City at the start of the 2002/2003 season.

It was at Valley Parade that Gray's career really took off. He scored 20 goals in 77 games before alerting the attentions of Sheffield United. His career did take a while to get going, but after signing for Bradford, and then Sheffield United, he has shown he is capable of getting goals in this division. Gray should start tomorrow, and will hopefully start scoring the goals that the Clarets have sorely missed in recent weeks.

We are thought to have pipped Leeds, Preston and Derby to the signature of Gray, and it would seem that Steve's persuasive powers, and the offer of a permanent deal come the end of the season have swayed the striker to join up with the Clarets.

He will wear the number 20 shirt.