Linfield new-boy Michael Carvill last night claimed he is ready to handle the pressure that comes with playing for the Blues.

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland under-21 international put pen to paper on an initial one-year full-time deal with the Windsor Park club on Saturday, with a further 12-month option.

Although manager David Jeffrey isn’t viewing the former Charlton Athletic trainee as a direct replacement for Peter Thompson, he will be expected to form a partnership with legendary striker Glenn Ferguson.

And that is something that Carvill is relishing.

“Ive watched the last couple of games and it is hard to believe that Glenn Ferguson is 39-years-old,” said Carvill.

“He still knows where the net is, but no matter how old you get, I suppose that is something you never lose.

“I know I can learn a lot from him and hopefully I can do that playing alongside him this season.”

Carvill’s signing comes just days after it looked like the deal had broken down.

He held talks at Windsor Park last Monday night, but there was an impasse and on Wednesday evening the Belfast-man rejected the offer that was made to him.

Then, all of a sudden, he became Linfield’s fifth signing of the summer.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to sign for Linfield, there were just a few terms that I wanted to get sorted out and there wasn’t time,” said Carvill.

“A few more discussions took place, that got things sorted out and I was able to sign.

“I have been having treatment for a thigh injury from the Linfield physios after I did my pre-season training in Scotland with Hamilton and wasn’t ready to play on Saturday, but I am looking forward to getting into training tonight.”

Match fitness may rule Carvill out of Saturday’s Premiership opener at Lisburn Distillery, but he wants to get involved in Linfield’s fight to retain the title – as well as the CIS and Irish Cups – as soon as possible.

And he isn’t phased by the level of expectation that comes with the territory of being a Linfield player.

“I know there is pressure at Linfield, but I have been involved in successive relegation battles with Wrexham and I know what that pressure felt like,” said Carvill.

“I am happy for there to be pressure on me. I think any player would rather have pressure on them to play at the top of their game and to be winning trophies than not having that.

“I expect the fans at Linfield to be demanding, they are the biggest club in Northern Ireland

and they want success.

“The fans at Wrexham didn’t always give the players an easy ride, but that pressure is part and parcel of being a footballer and to be successful you have to be thick skinned.

“I am confident in myself and my own ability and confident that I will prove myself to the Linfield fans.

“I have been made to feel comfortable by the manager, David Jeffrey and now I just want to get my fitness built up again and start playing.”

The Blues beat Larne 2-0 on Saturday, with first-half goals from Glenn Ferguson and William Murphy.