Fleetwood Town announce signing of Middlesbrough defender Sam Stubbs

The 21-year-old defender started his youth career at Everton before joining Wigan Athletic and has had a host of clubs since leaving the Latics.

Most recently he spent last season on loan at Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premier League before a switch to ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie.

Speaking about the move to The Gazette, he said: "I'm over the moon, I'm really happy that it's done.

"As soon as I heard there was an interest it was a move that I really wanted to push for.

"I'd seen quite a lot, with my Liverpool connection really and the people here, so I've known quite a lot about Fleetwood.

"I saw a lot of their results last year and their play-off games. It's really good to be a Fleetwood player."

As with many potential signings for Joey Barton, Poolfoot Farm made its impression on the fresh face.

Stubbs thinks that the Fleetwood training ground could rival most clubs up and down the country and pyramid.

He said: "The training ground is unbelievable really, at this level and I think at any level in English football, it's up there with one of the best.

"That's in terms of everything, the staff that are in there, the facilities, the equipment, the pitches, it's brilliant. It sets the standard.

"As soon as you walk in in the morning and you see all that around, the food, the canteen, it leaves no room for error in terms of us. It sets our standards as soon as we walk in the door.

"I know Mark Duffy, I played with Duffs in the last six months over in Holland last season.

"I also know Jay Wallace [Chief Scout] who's upstairs in recruitment. My dad knows Jay really well because he was at Everton U23s.

"I remember going into training with my dad and watching Jay train, funnily enough.

"I know a bit about Flano [Jon Flanagan] and Jordan [Rossiter] as well."

Now at his eighth club, in his second permanent move, the 21-year-old is looking to make Highbury his home.

Stubbs is grateful for the experience he has gained playing across three different countries in two top flight leagues but he is now looking to take advantage of the stability that the Cod Army can provide him.

He said: "I've definitely been at my fair share of clubs, being only 21, I've had different experiences and different leagues.

"It's something I'm happy about, having found a home, some people have said to me for a long time that that's all I need now.

"I need that platform, base and a bit of stability.

"I feel like my loans will set me in good stead. I've got a decent amount of games under my belt and hopefully I can kick on this year.

"I'll listen to the gaffer, hopefully start for him and try and develop further."