Kilmarnock sign Danny Buijs

Kilmarnock signing Danny Buijs was delighted to seal his move abroad after loyalty to ADO Den Haag and then a health scare for his wife denied him a transfer to Derby.

Former Feyenoord midfielder Buijs has signed a one-year contract with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club 12 months after a move to Derby fell through.

The 29-year-old helped Den Haag qualify for this season's Europa League but he remained eager to leave Holland for the first time in his career and was today unveiled as Kenny Shiels' sixth summer signing.

Buijs, who played more than 50 times in two spells at Feyenoord, said: "The first time Derby tried to sign me was when Den Haag were in the relegation position and I was the captain and I couldn't leave so I asked Derby to come back in the summer only for there to be concerns with my wife.

"The health of your wife and children is the most important thing.

"I stayed another year in Holland and my wife's health is better and this is my chance to play abroad.

"I now look forward to help Kilmarnock into the top six with a club which I like the way they think about football."

Shiels believes the capture speaks volumes about the approach he and, initially, Mixu Paatelainen introduced last season.

The Killie manager said: "It's encouraging that a player who has helped his team get into Europe this season in a league with the reputation of the Eredivisie.

"He helped Den Haag reach fourth spot and qualify for the Europa League.

"He feels that Kilmarnock is a really good opportunity for him to improve his game and play in a league which is appealing to him.

"There are some people in certain quarters who knock the SPL but the football we have produced has borne fruit in a different way where we can attract a player from Holland.

"He was attracted by the way we play and what we can do for his career and I take great pride in that.

"The product which has been there for the past year has been great and we must have continuity and be ready to keep progressing.

"We will then attract interest from players who would like to be a part of it.

"They feel that being part of an entertaining brand of football will be good for their career.

"Danny distributes the ball well and understands the way we play. He can play full-back or any of the midfield positions so there's a versatility about him.

"When we lost Craig Bryson then Danny became the number one target for that position."