MICHAEL Duff is relishing the prospect of teaming up with mentor Steve Cotterill again after signing for Burnley.

Former Cheltenham defender Duff yesterday agreed a three-year deal to become new boss Cotterill's second signing.

And the 26-year-old Northern Ireland international credits the Clarets chief with helping him achieve a remarkable leap from the non-league scene to the international stage.

Belfast-born Duff, who will cost the Clarets £30,000, said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge and the chance of playing at a higher level.

"Steve and I had a couple of meetings about the possibility of a move over the last few weeks and I'm made up.

"I was in the last year of my contract at Cheltenham and when the chance came to make the step up to a higher level, I had to take it.

"It will be strange leaving Cheltenham, because I've been there for over eight years and it's become my home.

"I was there just before Steve came in as manager and I was only 18 at the time. But he took over and had unbelievable success and he made me the player I am now."

Cotterill first gave Duff his chance at Whaddon Road when Cheltenham were still in the Doctor Marten's League.

The pacy six-footer, who began life as a midfielder before switching to full back and then his preferred role as centre back, went on to become the first Cheltenham player to represent his country after being capped by Northern Ireland in February 2002.

And Cotterill insists Burnley have signed a top stopper with the potential to take Division One in his stride.

"They say that if you can sign players you know, it's a good thing," said the new Clarets boss.

"Michael is a good player and one I feel can make the step up through the divisions.

"I've known him a long time and he's a good, strong character who is tall, strong and good in the air and has been in the Third Division team of the year.

"He's won three international caps for Northern Ireland and to do that from Cheltenham is an excellent achievement.

"He's very determined to succeed here and it's a great opportunity for him."

Burnley will pay Cheltenham £30,000 for Duff - £15,000 now and a similar amount next year - in addition to agreeing a 15 per cent sell-on clause and visiting Whaddon Road for a pre-season friendly next season.

"We have got Michael at what is a very good price," insisted Cotterill.

"He was in the last year of his contract at Cheltenham and wanted to make the step up.

"It is a small fee, but when you get a good player from the lower leagues you sometimes have to pay for them."

Duff's fee is the second highest outbound transfer in Cheltenham's history - reflecting a character who joined the Robins in 1996 and played a major role in their success.

The former Darlington trainee made only a couple of appearances for the Town youth team before being pitched into first team action in the Southern League, making his debut at 18.

Following a spell on loan at Cirencester Town, he was re-instated to the first team by new manager Cotterill in February 1997 and was a virtual ever-present for the next seven years, starring at right-back as the Robins won promotion to the Conference in 1997, lifted the FA Trophy in 1998 and were crowned Conference champions a year later.

Following a brief spell as a midfielder, he was moved to the centre of defence at the start of the 2001/02 season, featuring as Cotterill's side beat Burnley in the FA Cup and later won promotion to Division Two

International recognition arrived with a debut for Northern Ireland as a substitute against Poland, with two subsequent call-ups against Cyprus and Estonia.

In total, Duff made 372 career appearances for the Robins, scoring 16 goals.

SCOTTISH trialist Scott McLaughlin has signed a new, two-year deal with Livingston after several days training with the Clarets.