Curle: Cobblers offer contracts that 'incentivise' players to be successful

Keith Curle has explained how the Cobblers place an emphasis on offering players 'financial incentives' to perform on the pitch when they structure their contracts.

While Northampton's basic wage offer may be lower than many other teams in League One, and even some in the division below, the way the deal is structured means players can earn just as much money if they perform well and help the club succeed.

Curle recently admitted he has missed out on players for financial reasons this summer but he remains in talks with some of his other top targets.

"We're able to offer League One football for players to perform," he said. "Any player worth his salt wants to play at the highest possible level.

"With how we structure our contracts, we probably don't offer as much as some League Two clubs for certain players but we offer incentives whereby if they're playing and they're performing, they can earn League One money.

"We want players to be performing and to be successful and then it's a win-win for everyone because they get the money they deserve and earn and we reward them for their success. That's what we want as a club - we want to pay money to players that are successful."

Curle was also delighted to welcome former Forest Green Rovers captain Joseph Mills as Town's third summer signing on Saturday.

"He's a good player and he's got all the attributes that we're looking for," he added.

"He's the typical modern day wing-back. He loves to get forward and he's able to get forward but he has the experience and understanding to know his defensive responsibilities.

"He played in a team over the last couple of seasons where he's been used for his attacking threat and that won't change with us - if anything we might be asking more of that with his starting positions out of possession.

"Him getting forward creates balance in the team and in the squad and that's what we're looking for."