Mancienne addition is a late bonus for Brewers
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink sprang a late surprise just over an hour before the scheduled start of the game against Blackpool when Burton Albion announced the signing of experienced defender Michael Mancienne on a deal until the end of the season.
The signing adds another natural centre-half to the mix for the Brewers, Hasselbaink having commented that they have been using a series of players who were converted from other positions in the middle of the defence for most of the season.
Mancienne, 33, was a free agent, having returned to England following two years playing in America for New England Revolution. He did not sign in time to be involved against Blackpool.
He brings plenty of Premier League, Championship and Bundesliga experience, having started his career with Chelsea’s youth system, going on to make four appearances for the first team.
Two seasons on loan with Queens Park Rangers and the next three with Wolverhampton Wanderers, between 2006 and 2011, saw him playing regularly in the top flight.
He then joined Hamburg in the Bundesliga, making 51 appearances, before returning to England to play 134 games for Nottingham Forest from 2014-18.
“We’ve been looking for a centreback throughout the whole of the
transfer window,” said Hasselbaink. “He has lots of experience and has played lots of games in higher leagues. I’m very happy that he is signing with us.”
London-born Mancienne added: “It’s a pleasure to be here and I’m really grateful that the manager has given me the opportunity to join and help with the battle.
“I know how to see out games and what the team have to do to win games, so I hope to bring that experience with me.”
Meanwhile, the Brewers have also announced that Andy Quy, the former Derby County goalkeeper who has coached with Brentford and Stoke City, is their new head of goalkeeping.
Ross Atkins, who took that role at the start of the season, has left the club.