Derby County manager Steve McClaren has admitted that he thought he had lost Craig Bryson to Burnley.

Bryson is third in our list
Bryson signed a new deal at the club yesterday

Bryson signed a five year deal with the Rams yesterday after allegedly agreeing terms with Burnley.

Derby rejected a bid from Burnley last week but it looked as though Derby would lose the goal scoring midfielder only for him to make a U-turn in the last minute.

Even Steve McClaren was shocking saying that even he thought Premier League football would be too much of a pull for Bryson.

McClaren told the Derby Telegraph "We thought we had lost Craig Bryson. I didn't think we would keep hold of him.

"The first day he came back for pre-season training it seemed as though we had lost him but everybody in the dressing room has worked hard on him, we have all worked hard on him, and in the end Sam Rush and Chris Evans have got it over the line and he stays. [caption align="alignright" width="300"] McClaren surprised Bryson stayed with Derby McClaren surprised Bryson stayed with Derby[/caption] "What a great boost. It is like a new signing. "He is one of the first names on the team sheet and the thought of losing a damn good player wasn’t a good one, so it is pleasing to have him signed up." "Craig Bryson wants to play in the Premier League - everybody wants to play in the Premier League, "Burnley have gone up. They did very well last season and they saw value in Craig Bryson. "There was one or two little things over a clause in his contract but we are delighted it never actually came to that." Bryson scored 16 goals from midfield last season and also attracted interest from Queens Park Rangers.