Former Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond is ready for a new challenge in English football after signing a three-year deal with Northampton Town.
The 29 year-old centre-half, who joined the Cobblers on loan from Burton Albion in February, helped the club avoid relegation from League 2 and his performances have been rewarded with a long term contract.
Diamond, who made 14 appearances while on loan from the Brewers, claims he would have stayed with the club even if they had been relegated.
He said: “The decision was made before the season was finished.
“The manager has shown faith in me by bringing me in on a long-term deal and hopefully the form we ended on, we can kick that on in the beginning of next season.
“It was such an easy decision to make.”
Diamond was pleased to have the chance to bid farewell to the Burton Albion support with an appearance at Wembley in the League Two play-off on Monday, but wished he had been able to help the team to promotion.
Fleetwood Town won the game 1-0 to earn their sixth promotion in 10 seasons.
Diamond, who left Aberdeen in 2011 to join Oldham Athletic, said: “The supporters have been fantastic with me from day one and at Southend I got to give a goodbye.
“It’s a bit of a bittersweet one but I’m glad I had a chance to play one last game, and doing it at Wembley is not too bad. But now it’s pastures new and the focus is Northampton now.”
Diamond was surprised to be included in the squad for the play-off semi-final second leg at Southend United but was happy to have played a part in the club’s promotion push again before his departure.
He said: “The manager said a couple of weeks ago that players who thought they wouldn’t be playing again for Burton Albion might suddenly get their chance.
“You need to be professional, and I’m still contracted to Burton Albion. I don’t think anyone could question my commitment out there and it would be wrong of me as a professional to let my team-mates down.”
Having been part of the team who lost in the semi-final to Bradford City a year ago Diamond believes his former club is making good progress and has backed them to win promotion next season.
He said: “They’re a great bunch of lads in there with a great coaching staff and I don’t see why Burton can’t go again.
“Last season we had the disappointment of losing in the semi-final of the play-offs. We’ve gone a step further again, got to the final, so the law of averages would suggest you’d go up automatically.
“But it’s a difficult league, as teams on their day can beat anybody. It’ll be a competitive league and anyone could get those top three places.”