BURY manager Alan Knill has made his third signing of the summer by offering trialist Damien Allen a 12-month contract.

The deal for the 22-year-old midfielder was completed last night after a successful medical, and the Shakers boss is excited by the former Stockport and Morecambe man’s signature.

“I got a call from somebody in the summer saying I would like Damien because he is my type of player, and it has proved true,” said Knill. “He is technically very good but he is also very athletic — he has been in the top group of runners during our training sessions.

“He is versatile because he can also play at full-back or on the wing. Because of his age he still has plenty of time to develop.

“His career has stuttered recently for one reason or another but he has the chance to rebuild it here and I’m sure he can take that chance.”

Of the remaining trialists, Knill is still to make a decision on Simon Johnson but defender Byron Webster has left to join Championship side Doncaster on trial.

The Shakers visit Fleetwood Town on Saturday in the final fixture of their pre-season campaign, and Knill is happy with the way things are progressing ahead of the big kick-off on August 8.

“I had a few options of games for this weekend but I chose Fleetwood because you know you will get a competitive game with a non-league outfit,” he said. “Sometimes, when you play league teams, it can become more of a friendly.

“Fleetwood will play at an intensity I expect from Bournemouth on the opening day and it’s a good surface over there.

“I am happy with where we are at. We competed well with Sheffield United at the weekend and I have got what I have wanted so it was only their extra bit of quality that got them a goal before all the subs came on.”

See next week’s Bury Times for a special supplement previewing the Shakers’ forthcoming League Two campaign.