Stephen Jordan signs for Pars

Former Manchester City and Burnley full back Jordan joins Jim Jefferies team

Registration is expected through on Monday 6th August to confirm Stephen Jordan as a Dunfermline player but Jim Jefferies claims that reports that Italian trialist, Ivan D'Angelo has signed are a little ahead of themselves.

Stephen Jordan is a 30 year old left sided defender who started his career at Manchaster City, joining their youth system at the age of eight. He had made 51 appearances for City before he left to join Owen Coyle's Burnley, aged 25. After three years at Turfmoor he left to join Sheffield United and was latterly with Rochdale.

He played in the pre season friendlies against Hearts and Berwick Rangers impressing Jim Jefferies and earning a contract with Dunfermline. Jefferies commented:-

"He is an experienced player, we needed that and he can cover at left centre back and left back. We are fortunate to sign him because he has played in Manchester City's first team and then got a big move to Burnley. Its a shame that he has not done a full pre season but we will work on him as well."

Speaking exclusively to the website Stephen  revealed that it was former Falkirk player Dean Holden who was instrumental in setting him off on course for Dunfermline.

"Neil McCann mentioned to Dean that Dunfermline needed a left back and Dean told him that I would be leaving Rochdale. Neil then spoke to the gaffer and they said that they were interested so I came in to training with them for a few days.

"I have really enjoyed it so far. They are a really good set of lads which always helps."

Just as well since the youngsters Josh Falkingham and Alex Whittle have taken the 30 year old in until Stephen finds a place in Dunfermline for his wife and daughter.

Before moving north Stephen sounded out former Burnley team mate Graham Alexander about Scottish football and Stephen believes his former manager and former Pars player, Owen Coyle had passed on a good reference for him.

"It is a young team here so I expect to bring a bit of experience; there are a couple of experienced lads already but I will add to that. I play at left back but can play left centre back as well. A full backs first job is to defend but in the modern day full backs have to get forward. Once I get up to full fitness I think I will be getting fully involved in games.

"I am slightly behind the others in pre season training. My fitness isn't too bad, its just sharpness which you get from training day in day out really. I need games under my belt - it takes four or five games before you get up to a decent match fitness."