DAVID Flitcroft is delighted with the capture of former Rangers striker Nicky Clark and ex-England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Clark, who penned a two-year deal on Sunday, and Kirkland, who signed a 12-month contract yesterday, became the latest signings following the arrival of goalkeeper Ben Williams, defender Niall Maher and midfielder Zeli Ismail on Friday.

The former Wigan Athletic stopper was on trial with the Shakers last summer and attended a training camp in Tenerife before negotiations broke down.

Kirkland opted for a move to Championship side Preston instead, but after making only six appearances for the Lilywhites last term, the 35-year-old has returned and signed a deal at Gigg Lane – much to the delight of Flitcroft.

“Chris is highly influential in the dressing room and around the training ground and I want that leadership quality,” Flitcroft said.

“I'm delighted to have two excellent goalkeepers in that will really solve the keeper problem that we have had.

“He came to Tenerife last season with us and he spent five days with us but in the end we couldn't do the deal.

“Preston came in for him and he went to Preston. He did it for the best reasons last season but he will admit it now that he wishes he had come here as he would have had a season with us.”

Forward Clark scored 23 goals during his three year spell at Ibrox and after his contract was not renewed at Rangers Flitcroft moved quickly to secure the striker's signature.

The Shakers beat off competition from Southend and Peterborough to snap up the 25-year-old, and the Bury boss expressed his excitement in obtaining the striker's services.

Flitcroft said: “To be a goalscorer playing for Rangers you have got to have a special talent.

“We had all of his clips sent down and you could just see the kid relishes scoring goals. He has scored goals in front of 40-50,000 people and that's a pressure in itself.

“He came down with his agent and him mum and you could see the excitement when he signed.

"You could see right there that all his graft had paid off. He is now in England and has an opportunity to fashion and carve out a career here.

“It was great to watch the way they embraced each other once they had signed a contract.”