Gifton enjoying life in the sun

Last updated : 27 February 2007 By Tony Scholes
News broke via a Spanish web site that Real Murcia were set to sign him but I'm not sure anyone believed there was anything in it until the Clarets confirmed he'd gone in a £50,000 move just a week after he'd played his last game for us against his former club Stoke.

He's enjoying life in Spain too, and told the BBC he is living in a five bedroom villa with its own swimming pool just ten minutes drive from his new club's training ground, something of a change from the drive from his home in Stoke to Gawthorpe every day for training when at Burnley.

Gifton's not sure how the deal came about. "I think it was my agent," he said. "I don't know what magic he did but he pulled a rabbit of the hat from somewhere and I'm mightly glad he did. I feel comfortable here.

"Apparently they tried to sign me a couple of years ago. I wasn't aware of it but they watched me at Stoke and then they came back and signed me from Burnley. I could have gone to Denmark and there were a couple of other things available but this was the best offer."

Real Murcia are currently second in the table and should be in the top league, La Liga, next season and that's something to look forward to for our former striker. "It was one of the things that enticed me here," Gifton added. "Having the opportunity to play against Barcelona and Real Madrid is such a big shout for me."

He's currently learning the language but is settling into a league with fewer games he said: "I came here blind, but I saw it as a big opportunity and I am determined to get on with it and see what comes of it. I've been enjoying my training and I have a smile on my face. Training in the sunshine, that makes you happy."

Gifton still awaits his debut for his new club although he came close to coming on as a substitute a couple of weeks ago. The Real Murcia fans are still to see him in action and should he do well for them he could well be facing the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid next season.