Sheffield United this week announced the £2 million capture of England Under 21 defender Matthew Kilgallon who made the short trip from Leeds to their Yorkshire rivals. Manager Neil Warnock was delighted with the signing, and said: "He is the type of boy that fits into the squad. He is a nice lad, but not too nice on the pitch, which is what we want. I think we'll bring the best out of him. He'll enjoy playing with us, and the squad will enjoy having him around." Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with Kilgallon on his first day with his new club.
Q:IT WAS YOUR 23rd BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK - NOT A BAD PRESENT?
A:The Premiership is where everyone wants to play and so this is a great present. I'm at an important stage of my career and I've been watching what's been going on here at Bramall Lane with interest. This is a big opportunity for me in the Premiership. I'm here now and I'm really excited about it. I've played well in the Championship, but now this is a step up, so I have got to prove myself.
Q:YOU'VE HAD SOME PREMIERSHIP EXPERIENCE SO THAT SHOULD HELP?
A:I played a few games in the Premiership when I was younger and I did okay, but now I have to show what I can do all over again. I'm 23 today, and now I want to establish myself as a good, young defender in the Premiership. I want to do as well as I can.
Q:IT'S NO SECRET THAT NEIL WARNOCK HAS BEEN AFTER YOU FOR SOME TIME?
A:It's been going on for a while. On Friday I had to wait over the weekend. Everyone kept asking me but I couldn't say much. It was a long weekend and then yesterday we had to put it off as well.
Q:WHAT HAPPENED?
A:The club has paid a lot of money for me and they just wanted a few more tests done. I had an ankle injury and they just wanted to check nothing was wrong. It was nothing to do with me changing my mind or anything.
Q:WHAT PERSUADED YOU TO COME TO BRAMALL LANE?
A:I looked at the way the club is going and it is moving in the right direction. I spoke to a few people I know at the club like Rob Hulse and Phil Jagielka and they told me that there was a great set of lads here. I also think the manager gets the best out of players as well.
Q:WAS IT DIFFICULT TO CALL TIME ON YOUR LEEDS CAREER?
A:I will miss the club as I am a fan of the club. I'd been there a long time and know the cleaners and the groundmen and I still live in Leeds, but this was a chance to play in the Premiership and show what I can do. It's a challenge and it’s what you want as a player. I look at Morgan, Davis and Bromby who are playing really well and are good players. It's up to me to get into the team. When I get my chance it is up to me to take it and stay in there.
Q:HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE UNITED TEAM?
A:I have been watching them all season. I saw them beat Arsenal and they were unlucky not to beat Villa. I did my research before I came here. United have given themselves a great chance of staying up and I'm really looking forward to being a part of that.
