HUDDERSFIELD Town have signed Martin Paterson on a free transfer after his deal with previous club Burnley expired.

The 26-year-old has penned a two-year deal with Huddersfield Town having the option of a third.

The 5ft 9in frontman has a reputation as a willing worker who will run himself into the ground.

He started his career at Stoke City before being signed by then Scunthorpe United manager Nigel Adkins as a straight replacement for striker Billy Sharp when the frontman left for Sheffield United.

He scored 13 goals in 40 appearances for Scunthorpe.

Paterson joined Burnley in a £1m deal in 2008 and began repaying the fee with 19 goals during the season as the club were promoted to the Premier League.

The following season he suffered a serious knee ligament tear and missed much of the campaign.

He signed a new three-year deal in 2010 but again suffered injuries and only made 25 appearances in the following two seasons.

However by 2012/13 a fit-again Paterson appeared in the majority of Burnley's games and scored eight goals.

It's believed Town were just one of a number of clubs interested in Paterson with Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, and Wolverhampton Wanderers all rumoured to have been in the mix for a deal.



Burnley fans on the Clarets Mad fans' forum appeared to be in two minds about the exit of 'Pato'.

Some suggested that despite his work ethic he wasn't good enough for their club while others were sad to see him go.

User ClaretBucky1978 wrote: "Wish him well, that guy will get a big clap from me.

"One of my favourite players of the last few years."

Squarepusher added: "Sad to see him go. Regardless of his performances last season, I don't think he could ever be faulted for effort. Might not be the most naturally gifted footballer in the world, but I highly doubt we'll be replacing him with an improvement or even an equivalent."

DaveisaClaret seemingly summed up the mood of many with his post: "Gutted, absolutely gutted. I don't doubt Charlie Austin would be gutted too if he were staying.

"Pato is as good as we will ever find to play the role he does. He is a genuine terror for defences, his work isn't just non-stop it's intelligent enough to drag defenders into areas they don't want to be in and create real space for the other striker and for anyone else who cares to attack. He was a huge part of what Charlie did earlier this season, and he was a huge part of our promotion.

"No doubt somebody will accuse him of not repaying the club's loyalty while injured, but if we're honest he's been either left out or played on the left and then offered a wage cut. Absolute no brainer for him to go, and it's us that will lose out."