NEW Morton defender Zak Delaney says he's looking forward to hopefully being able to put his woes of last season behind him after becoming Dougie Imrie's eighth signing of the summer.

The former Republic of Ireland youth cap penned a two-year deal at Cappielow on Tuesday night after featuring and impressing in two friendlies against Queen of the South and Alloa Athletic.

He helped Dougie Imrie's men kick off their pre-season preparations with back-to-back 1-0 wins.

The 23-year-old Delaney, who can ply his trade as either a left-back or a centre half, is delighted to be remaining in the Championship after leaving Arbroath at the end of what was a tough season, both on and off the park, as injury and the loss of his place in the team at Inverness led to him being restricted to just 16 appearances in all competitions.

He told the Tele: "I came in last Friday, I've had a few training sessions and games which have went well and I'm delighted to be here and have my future sorted for the next two years.

"It might have looked like a trial from the outside, but it was a case of the gaffer, when he phoned me, saying that there was going to be an offer on the table no matter what, type thing.

"It was a case of coming and playing a few games just to have a look at my fitness or whatever and I think that might have taken the pressure off and explain why I've been able to have such a strong start.

"I'm glad it wasn't a proper trial because it's never nice trialling at a club."

Delaney added: "Last season was tough, if I'm being honest. I'd had a really good first season at Inverness and then last season the gaffer there wasn't really having me. I just wanted to go out and play football at that stage.

"I signed for Arbroath and, within five minutes of my debut, I got injured and missed a big chunk of time. It was one of those ones where you have to just scrap it off and start again fresh. It's a clean slate for me here and I'm really looking forward to getting going now.

"I'm hoping the new season will be the opposite the last one."

Delaney admits that having a vote of confidence from Ton boss Imrie has been massive for him as he gets used to his new surroundings.

And he hopes that he can only continue getting stronger as preparations for the new season continue, and he looks to make the left back berth his own.

Delaney said: "To have that vote of confidence from the manager is really good actually. It's a big confidence booster.

"He's told me that he wants me to come in, get my fitness back and have a run of games where I'll start week in week out.

"You're always going to get better if you're doing that, so to have that backing from someone is really helpful and I'm looking forward to working under him and Andy Millen."