By Ian Roache

IT MAY have been a trans-American transfer conducted via mobile phones but midfielder Brian Kerr believes his move to Dundee has the right ring about it.

Kerr, who became the Dark Blues’ eighth summer signing by agreeing a three-year contract yesterday, revealed much of his own holiday in Florida was spent answering calls from Dens boss Jocky Scott, who was himself enjoying the Californian sun.

However, the player was delighted to have his now manager allocating so much time to ensure Kerr saw his future at Dundee.

The one-time Scotland international could have stayed at relegated Inverness Caley Thistle alongside mentor Terry Butcher—his boss at Motherwell and ICT—but the 27-year-old feels joining up with Scott is his best route back to the SPL.

“It is good to get things finally sorted and the three-year deal gives me a bit of security,” said Kerr, who joined his new colleagues for the first day of pre- season training.

“After the last couple of years that is what I feel I need because I have a family so need to be settled.

“Jocky was constantly on the phone to me during my holiday, firing text messages and calls to see what I was planning to do.

“He gave me about seven days’ peace but the rest of the time was spent making sure I was going to sign.

“Even as soon as my plane landed he was straight on asking me to come and meet him.

“That was great because he made me feel really wanted and that is hugely important.

“It was a big decision to leave Caley because Terry Butcher has been really good to me but with the ambition here I felt Dundee was the place to be.

“I still think Caley will be strong next year because they have a lot of good players and an excellent management team in Terry and Maurice Malpas.

“But at this moment in time, and with the players we have signed this summer, I think Dundee is a better option.”

Kerr, who started his career at Newcastle United and has had spells with Hibs, Livingston, Motherwell and Coventry, will step into division one for the first time but does not feel he has joined a lower league team.

“Although this is a step back in terms of what league I will be playing in it doesn’t feel like that because of the ambition of the club,” added the midfielder.

“I would even say the people here have more ambition than some of the clubs in the SPL.

“A lot of the teams up there are in it simply to survive every year but at Dundee everyone wants to kick on and are aiming for more than that.

“But that’s all reliant on our winning the league this season and, while we know it won’t be easy, we are ready to give it our best shot.”

Scott, who has also added Leigh Griffiths, Richie Hart, Sean Higgins, Pat Clarke, Chris Casement, Tony Bullock and young goalkeeper John Gibson to his squad, revealed he expects to receive an astronomical phone bill through the post after his three-week break.

The boss, who is working to bring in Gary Harkins from Partick Thistle and is optimistic a deal will be concluded later this week, remained in control of his club’s transfer dealings from his Palm Springs holiday base.

In fact, he spent so much time on the phone to players and agents his service provider even issued him with a warning about excessive use abroad.

“I am dreading looking at my phone bill because I was constantly on it during my holiday in America,” he said.