NIGEL Clough has added to his squad with the signing of Republic of Ireland international Stephen Quinn.

Quinn joins The Brewers, initially on contract until January 22, after spending several weeks training with The Brewers at St George’s Park.

He travelled with the first team to last night’s Sky Bet League One game at Bradford City.

The 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the Brewers midfield.

Starting his career at St Patrick’s Athletic in his native Ireland, Quinn moved to Sheffield United’s Academy in 2005 and went on to make more than 200 appearances for The Blades, scoring two goals for United in their Premier League season of 2006/07 and being named in the PFA’s League One Team of the Year for 2011/12.

After eight years at Bramall Lane, Quinn, who has 18 caps for his country, moved to Hull City - earning a promotion to the top flight in his first season and spending two Premier League seasons at the KCOM Stadium and subsequently joining Reading, who he left in the summer.

Quinn is now keen to get started with the Brewers.

“I’m really happy to have signed - it’s all happened really quickly, actually,” Quinn told iFollow Brewers.

“I came down a few weeks ago and trained with the guys, and it’s gone really well. I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I finished at Reading at the end of last season and I just didn’t know where to go with it - I was frustrated at the lack of games I played at Reading due to injury.

“My body just needed the time off to heal. I had the time off over the summer to get the body right, and get that buzz and love for the game back again.

“I’ve come down here and certainly got that. I contacted the club to see if I could get fit and train, and I’ve done well enough in training that the manager sees something in me still, and he’s offered me the deal.

“Training at St George’s Park is always nice and the lads have helped me settle in.”

Manager Nigel Clough believes Quinn will add some vital experience to his squad over the course of the 2018/19 season.

“He’ll bring ability, experience and I think more than anything that strength to do the right thing at the right time,” said Clough.

“When you’ve played at the highest level as he has done, internationally as well, you have that mental strength to know what the right thing is at the right time and do it for the majority of the game.

“He brings that mental toughness.

“We’ve always liked him as a player and we’ve watched him over the years. He’s a combative midfielder but he’s got ability on the ball as well.”

Quinn will wear shirt number 23.