Kilmarnock are poised to sign Swedish defender Billy Berntsson on a free transfer.
Swedish defender has impressed on trial
Kilmarnock are poised to sign Swedish defender Billy Berntsson on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old is a free agent as his contract with Swedish second division side Sundsvall expired in October.
The right-back has been on trial at Killie and is close to agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Scottish Premier League outfit after impressing manager Mixu Paatelainen.
"This is what I have worked for - to get a move to Europe," Berntsson told the
Daily Record.
"This is a big step up from the Swedish Premier League and Kilmarnock are playing really well right now.
Belief
"The Kilmarnock coach seems to believe in me and that's important so I hope a deal is agreed soon."
Paatelainen is looking to replace full-back Ben Gordon, who returned to Chelsea this week following his loan spell with fourth-placed Killie.
Berntsson came through the academy of current Swedish champions Malmo before having stints with Herfolge, Falkenbergs and Sundsvall.
He now feels ready to try his luck abroad and is confident he can adjust to the Scottish game.
New adventure
"I feel like having a new adventure somewhere else and I'm at a top club in a top division," said Berntsson.
"It's a completely different mentality in Scotland and there are some very good players here.
"The stadiums are also nice and everything is very professional all round. They tell me the way they play in Scotland is very high tempo but I haven't really found it much of a difference from Sundsvall."
Berntsson's agent, John Budak added: "Kilmarnock want him to sign as quickly as possible. Right now we are in deep negotiations with the club."
