REDDITCH United boss Darren Byfield has pulled off a real coup by signing former Blues, Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison.

The 37 year old Morrison turned down a new deal from current club Exeter City to join forces with Byfield who is embarking on his first venture into football management.

Morrison maintained he'd received a number of offers from clubs at a higher level, including Exeter where he has spent the past two years.

But the seasoned striker, who has made over 700 Football League appearences and obtained over 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland insisted the move to Reds wasn't about the money.

Morrison is already carving himself a career as a football pundit with Sky Sports and featured heavily in their FA Cup Final coverage which involved one of his former clubs.

He also stressed the constant travelling from his home town of Nottingham to Exeter was starting to take its toll.

Morrison becomes Byfield's fourth signing following the return to Valley Stadium of former Reds' players Jamie Spencer and Jordan Jones who both had spells at Kidderminster Harriers, while one-tme Burnley defender Duane Courtney has joined after playing for Corby Town last term.

Morrison said: "I'm really excited about working alongside Darren who is a very close friend of mine and the real reason I chose to play at Redditch."

He is also looking to help some of the younger Reds players improve their game, especially the strikers, while at the same time developing his media interests.