The former Sheffield Wednesday defender became the Shakers' first signing of the summer when he agreed a two-year deal to sign from Conference club Halifax Town this week.

Having already made 23 appearances in the Premiership and played alongside the likes of Benito Carbone, Des Walker and Paulo Di Canio, the 27-year-old has an impressive pedigree.

But Haslam insists he is well prepared to roll up his sleeves in a bid to cement a first-team place at Gigg Lane, just as he did when he first signed for the Shaymen in 2004.

"I'm grateful for the chance to get my head down and try and establish myself in the side," said Haslam, who boasts more than 100 appearances for Wednesday and Halifax.

"Bury made me feel wanted right away. It's no secret that the club have struggled over the last few seasons, but the lure of league football was a big part of making my mind up.

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"I have still got ambitions to play at a higher level and from talking to both Keith (Alexander) and Chris Casper, they seemed to think the club could get there."

Primarily a right-back, Haslam was captain of the England Under-19s team which also included the likes of Michael Owen, Wes Brown and Michael Ball.

He made his debut for the Owls against Liverpool in 1999, aged 19, but his breakthrough sadly coincided with the Hillsborough side's fall from grace.

The defender was released by Chris Turner and opted to join Halifax, where he quickly became a first team regular.

Despite a knee injury ruling him out of much of last season, Haslam helped Halifax survive in the Conference and looked likely to help them into another campaign when he accepted the Yorkshire club's offer of a contract extension.

But when the invitation from Alexander arrived 11 days ago, there was little choice but to go back on the agreement.

"It all happened a bit quickly, to be honest, but I had a phone call from Keith Alexander about 10 days ago and it went from there," Haslam told the Bury Times from his holiday in Antigua.

"The offer was too good a chance to turn down. I discussed it with my family and there was really no option but to take it. I know Keith has got a lot of experience and had success at this level. The club look likely to move forward and that played a big part too."

Haslam has also filled in across the back four and in midfield during a 250-plus game career.

Goals are rare, but the Shakers know to their cost that the Yorkshireman can strike a ball, having been on the wrong end of a 30-yard screamer at the Shay during a miserable 6-1 Carling Cup defeat in 2005.

The defender lists Damien Duff, then of Blackburn Rovers, as the toughest opponent he has ever faced and could make his bow at Gigg against another Premiership giant in Everton, when the sides meet in a friendly on July 14.

Source:  The Bury Times