He's a Miller! Rotherham United land 26-goal hitman Georgie Kelly

The 25-year-old, who hit 26 goals for Bohemians in the recent League of Ireland season, is seen as one for the future by the Millers who today signed him on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

But that doesn't mean the six-foot-two-inch centre-forward won't feature in the club's League One promotion run-in.

"I love a player with a bit of a back-story of non-league or a knock-back, someone who really wants to prove themselves," Warne said.

"He's just a bit of a warrior, a bit game. He's an old-fashioned centre-forward. If you put the ball between the posts he’ll go and attack it.

"I've got him in because I want an archetypal number 9. Over the course of his time with us we can improve him. There are still things he needs to get better at to get in our team. He's done at one level. This, politely, is a different level now.

"Whether he plays a big part between now and the end of the season, we'll have to see. If not, he starts next season knowing us and knowing what we expect."

Kelly, who was voted the League of Ireland's Player of the Year, had attracted the attention of several clubs after the expiry of his contract and moves to AESSEAL New York Stadium on a free transfer.

The Millers had been tracking him for months and sent head of recruitment Rob Scott and chief scout Chris Trotter to watch him in the Irish FA Cup Final in November when Bohemians lost out to St Patrick's Athletic in a penalty shoot-out.

He has impressed in Millers training. although he won't feature at Crewe Alexandra tomorrow.

"He's done really well in his fitness tests but he hasn't trained properly for six or seven weeks so he's a little bit ring-rusty," Warne said.

The manager had held talks with Kelly but said last week that Rotherham were unlikely to sign him as the club already had their quota of four strikers: Michael Smith, Freddie Ladapo, Will Griggs and Josh Kayode.

However, with Ladapo wanting to leave before the transfer window closes at Monday and other teams firming up their interest in the former Bohemians frontman, the Millers decided to act.

"If we end up with five, I'll take five," Warne said.  "I'd rather have too many than too few."

Kelly could be Smith's long-term replacement. Rotherham have offered the 30-year-old Geordie a new contract but know he could leave when his contract finishes at the end of the season.