Clarets boss Stan Ternent described new signing Lee Briscoe as "top-class" as the former England under-21 man linked up with Burnley for the first time today.

Ternent successfully completed a protracted chase for the 24-year-old when he secured him on a three-year deal under the Bosman ruling yesterday -- a coup revealed yesterday on This is Lancashire.

The Burnley manager has been tracking the left-sided player for a while but had to bide his time as Wednesday fought a relegation battle last season.

But with Briscoe indicating that he wouldn't be signing a new deal at Hillsborough, Ternent made his move and held of advanaces from, among others, Wolves to land the Pontefract-born player.

"He's a player I've admired for some time and he will certainly strengthen our squad.

"He's won England under-21 caps and been involved in over 70 games in the Premiership with Sheffield Wednesday.

"He's top-class and ideal for us," said Ternent.

Briscoe came through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in Feburary 1994, the same year he signed professional terms. Operating as a left-back or left-sided midfield player, his best run of games came in the 1995/96 campaign when he made 26 Premiership appearances, while he figured in 16 games two seasons ago after a short loan spell with Manchester City in 1997/98.

His solitary Premiership goal was a spectacular winner against Arsenal in September, 1998 but that was sadly forgotten in the aftermath of Paulo Di Canio's infamous push on referee Paul Alcock.

Briscoe's arrival will give the Clarets a specialist left-back and also provide alternatives for Graham Branch and Paul Smith if Ternent opts to play him further up the field.

His capture also underlines Ternent's intention to add proven pedigree at First Division level or above to his squad as they aim to establish themselves in Division One and stay in a position to reap the rewards of the lucrative new television deal that kicks a year from now.

To that end, the boss has also brought in Briscoe's former Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Scott Oakes.

The former Leicester City and Luton Town midfielder started pre-season training with the Clarets yesterday and Ternent will assess his form and fitness before deciding whether to make the arrangement permanent.

If that happens, the arrival of Oakes, also a former England under-21 international, and Briscoe without a fee would represent some decent business, allowing Ternent to keep some of his budget back for strengthening in other areas as and when required.