Rotherham United sign Alex Cairns...
Rotherham United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Alex Cairns on a deal until the end of the season.
The former Leeds United Academy stopper is the third signing during the January transfer window following the arrival of defenders Shay Facey and Aïmen Belaïd.
The Doncaster-born custodian made one senior appearance whilst at Elland Road, and also enjoyed loan spells at Barrow and Stalybridge Celtic.
“I am delighted to be here,” Cairns told www.themillers.co.uk
“I have enjoyed training with the boys today and I am really pleased to get started.
“There is a good set of lads here in the dressing room and they have made me feel really welcome.
“I know Paul Green from my time at Leeds and one or two others, so that has made for an easy transition.”
Cairns, who last represented Chesterfield, is well known to Rotherham boss Neil Redfearn from his time as Academy manager at Thorpe Arch, and the 23-year-old revealed he was thrilled to be linking up once again with his old mentor.
“He has taught me everything I know so I am really pleased to be joining up with him again,” Cairns added.
“He gave me a chance at Leeds and guided me through the many different aspects of being a footballer, so for me it is the perfect scenario to be working under him again.
“I want to push as high as I possibly can, just like every other player, and to be back playing for a Championship club again is massive for me.”
Cairns admitted he has enjoyed his early training sessions with the Millers, and he now competes with senior goalkeepers Lee Camp and Adam Collin for a place between the sticks.
“I have had a couple of sessions with them (Camp and Collin) already and they are both great goalkeepers,” he continued.
“I am fortunate to be working alongside two experienced ‘keepers, and I am sure I will learn loads from training with them.”