United head coach Neil Redfearn has spoken of his delight at the loan capture of defender Sol Bamba from Serie A side Palermo.

Bamba, an Ivory Coast international, has signed until the end of the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship season and Redfearn is pleased with the acquisition.

“Sol trained with us for the first time on Friday morning and from what I have seen he looks like he will be a really good addition to the squad.

“We know about Sol and what he can bring to the side. He knows the Championship and British football from his time at Leicester City and also from playing up in Scotland.

“He can play both left and right side of the defence and he brings great experience that is key in the Championship.”

The arrival of the Ivory Coast international brings added competition to the defensive side of the playing squad, and Redfearn says that can only be a good thing.

“Sol being with us brings competition for the two centre-back places,” added the United boss.

“He now joins Liam Cooper, Jason Pearce, Giuseppe Bellusci and Dario Del Fabro in competing for those two spots.

“Competition keeps players on their toes, both in training and on a matchday. They know if they play well they will keep the shirt.

“Every player in this squad is important, and they all have to be ready to play when called upon.”