NEW signing John McGreal is convinced brighter times lie around the corner for Burnley.

The former Ipswich Town defender yesterday walked away from the offer of a new 12-month contract at Portman Road to become Steve Cotterill's first major signing as Clarets boss.

And McGreal insisted Cotterill's persuasive manner and ambition were both instrumental in deciding to return closer to his Birkenhead roots.

The 32-year-old centre back, who has signed a three-year deal at Turf Moor, said: "I'm delighted to have signed.

"It will be a totally different challenge to the one I had at Ipswich, where I had five fantastic years.

"Obviously geography helps and I will be nearer friends and family in the north west, but that isn't the reason for the move.

"The manager (at Burnley) came across very well and he has got an excellent reputation.

"I spoke to him a few weeks ago and they say that first impressions last. When I met him again he was exactly the same and he really sold the club to me.

"He is very enthusiastic about it all and he told me about his plans and who he hopes to bring in to the club, so I am keen on the challenge.

"I know Burnley has been in the bottom half of the table over the past two seasons, but there's no reason why we can't push up now."

The Clarets have received a boost following the news that three out-of-contract teenagers have signed new deals.

Matt O'Neill, Joel Pilkington and Paul Scott have all agreed 12 month deals and will join the rest of the new-look Clarets squad when they return for pre-season training on July 1.

And just three weeks later, Burnley are set to embark on a week-long trip to Austria for intensive training culminating in two warm-up games against European opposition.

The Clarets will travel to Austria on Sunday, July 25 for seven days, based at a training camp near Salzburg that will double as bonding for Steve Cotterill's flood of expected new signings and the players remaining on the club's books.

And those numbers were today boosted after O'Neill, Pilkington and Scott finally signed new deals after several weeks of deliberating, taking the number of players currently at Cotterill's disposal to 12 following yesterday's capture of former Ipswich defender McGreal.

The trio of Clarets youngsters, all 19, each made the huge transition from youth and reserve teams to first team football under Stan Ternent's tenure last season.

O'Neill found himself on the bench for most of the campaign and ended up making four appearances as a substitute, the last coming in Ternent's farewell game against Sunderland on the final day of the season.

A host of fresh signings is expected to further strengthen Cotterill's Clarets squad in the next few weeks, as the manager steps up his quest following players returning from holidays and contracts with other clubs expiring.