Rotherham United boss Paul Warne hopes that the arrival of Adam Thompson will spark even more competition for places in his defensive ranks, after it was confirmed that the 26-year-old had penned a deal until 2021 on Tuesday afternoon.
Thompson joins the likes of Richard Wood, Clark Robertson and Michael Ihiekwe in vying for a start at the heart of the defence, with young professional Jake Cooper also waiting in the wings to stake a claim for a place in Warne’s side.
The Millers boss explained that he was pleased to secure the signature of Thompson and is hopeful his arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium can raise the game of everyone in the group.
“We wanted Adam and he had a few options but we managed to convince him to come,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We need a bit of cover at the back, I think the centre halves have been excellent to be fair but competition is good and if it makes the squad stronger then it makes the starting XI stronger, so it's good news for us.
“He knows he's going to have to compete so hopefully we'll get the best out of him and if the lads keep him out of the team for a while then they're doing their job.”
Despite having not featured in a competitive league fixture in 2019/20, Warne was quick to praise his new signing’s fitness upon his check in at Roundwood, adding that the former Bury operator will bring an added composure to the Millers’ defensive options.
“He can really play, he can pass out from the back, which we need,” he continued.
“He's not too bad physically to be fair. His blood lactate test came back pretty good and he would have been in the second running group. He's not in bad fettle but obviously he's a bit match-rusty.
“It's our job to try and get some games in and when I get an opportunity to play him, I will.
“If we ever do choose to play with three centre halves we can.
“We've had Thommo on the radar for a couple of weeks now and myself and Rich really liked him as a kid when we met him and he settles in straight away.”