Burnley goalkeeper Matthew Gilks has stated the The Blackpool Gazette, that it wes the right time to leave Bloomfield Road.

Gilks signed for the newly promoted Burnley last week, after turning down a new deal at Bloomfield Road, ending a six year spell at the club.

Gilks has stated his reason's behind his move to Burnley
Gilks has stated his reason's behind his move to Burnley

His departure means that none of the squad from the 2010/11 Premier League campaign are left at the club, and following the departure of Tom Ince to Hull City yesterday, it leaves Blackpool with just eight players in their entire squad, in what is a real sticky situation for recently appointed manager Jose Riga.

Gilks explained: “The move was mentioned at the end of last season. I think I wanted to move on. I had three brilliant years under Ian Holloway. What we achieved was fantastic, but I realised I was due for a change and probably the club did too.

“I spoke to several other clubs but when I got a call from Burnley things quickly escalated from there.”

Gilks made 182 appearances for the club in his spell, and saved a penalty kick in Pool's penultimate fixture of the season, which was a 2-0 win away at Wigan Athletic, a win which ultimately kept the side up.

Gilks added: “Hopefully Burnley can stay in the Premier League this time. I don’t live too far away, so the locality is great for me.

“And when you have Chelsea and Manchester United at home in your first three games, you know you have to be right on it from day one!

“But I know I’ve had a good off-season and will be ready to go.”

He will compete with current number one Tom Heaton for the number one jersey, with Heaton making 50 appearances as Burnley finished runners up to Leicester City last season.