Clarets Sign Stoke City Fans Favourite Josh Laurent
Burnley Football Club have confirmed the signing of experienced midfielder Josh Laurent who has joined the Clarets from Stoke City on a two-year contract with the option of a third. The twenty-nine year old who has over 150 games under his belt in the Sky Bet Championship, becomes Scott Parker’s 11th new signing of the summer transfer window.
After becoming a Claret, Laurent said, “I’m so happy to be here. I’m really looking forward to meeting my teammates, working under the manager and learning as much as I can. It’s an exciting place to be right now and the aim for us is promotion and I want to be a part of that, it’s really exciting.”
Born and raised in Leytonstone, Laurent had spells within the academies of Chelsea, Redbridge and Wycombe Wanderers before moving to Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2012. The midfielder progressed through the youth team at Loftus Road and featured regularly for the U18’s & U23’s, as well as a loan spell with Conference Premier side Braintree Town, before departing the R’s in January 2015 to join Brentford.
Laurent spent 12 months with the Bees’ development squad, which included a loan spell with League Two Newport County, where he made his Football League debut, before moving on to Hartlepool United in February 2016. Following a season-and-a-half with United, Laurent had spells with Wigan Athletic and Bury, before signing for Shrewsbury in the summer of 2018.
Over 70 appearances in League One with the Shrews saw him rewarded with a move to Championship side Reading, where he became an integral figure in the Royals’ midfield and won the Club’s Player of the Year award in 2020/21. Laurent depart Reading and join Stoke City, where he quickly became a fan favourite and was then appointed club captain ahead of last season at the Bet365 Stadium.
Burnley Football Club have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Zian Flemming, who joins the Clarets on a season-long loan from Millwall. The twenty-six year old has scored twenty-three goals and registered nine assists in the last two seasons in the Sky Bet Championship with the Lions and the Dutchman arrives as the third signing on the final day of the summer transfer window.
After joining the Clarets, Flemming said: “It’s surreal to be here, it’s happened really quickly, I heard about it first yesterday morning and I just wanted to get here. I want to be a Premier League player in a Premier League team and with the aims & ambitions that we have here at the club, we can make that possible.”
Amsterdam-born, Flemming started out in the academy of ZSGOWMS before spending time with RKSV Pancratius and Ajax. After arriving at Ajax in 2008, the midfielder progressed through the club ranks, making his professional debut for Jong Ajax in 2017, scoring in the same game against Jong PSV.
May 2018 saw Flemming move on and join Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle, scoring six goals in his only season with the club, before joining second-tier side NEC Nijmegen ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, where he bagged 13 times in a successful loan spell.
Flemming then signed for Fortuna Sittard in August 2020 and enjoyed another prolific spell in front of goal, scoring 27 goals across two seasons in 63 games for the Dutch side, which earned him a move to Championship side Millwall in the summer of 2022.
It didn’t take the exciting attacker long to make an impact for the Lions; after scoring his first goal in September against Blackpool, he finished his first campaign in London with 15 goals and the club’s Player of the Year award. Following another eye-catching season at the Den last year with eight goals, Flemming’s arrival at Turf Moor concludes the Clarets’ summer transfer window, becoming the club’s twelfth new signing.
Clarets Sign Nineteen Year Old Striker From Austria
Burnley Football Club have signed Oluwaseun Adewumi from Austrian side Floridsdorfer for an undisclosed fee, with the forward immediately joining Dundee on loan subject to international clearance. Adewumi has signed a four-year contract with the Clarets and will continue his development with our strategic partner club in Scotland, agreeing a half season loan until 1 January 2025.
Speaking about joining the Clarets Adewumi said, “I feel very happy and excited to have signed for Burnley. Everything about the Club, from the infrastructure and pitches to the coaches and staff, all of whom have been very open, makes me think that I have made the right decision. It’s a huge step but I will have help from my family and I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge.”
Born in Vienna, the 19-year-old was taken from local grassroots football by Floridsdorfer and, after a spell with Rapid Vienna, returned to ‘FAC’ in the summer of 2020. After impressing in their B team, Adewumi made his senior debut for the Austrian second division side in May 2022.
The following 2022/23 season saw him score his first goal in the Austrian League Cup and earn regular league minutes, leading to a first professional contract last summer. Adewumi has started all his team’s 2024/25 league matches to date and scored in their derby match against First Vienna FC last weekend.
The youngster, who can play in several attacking positions, totalled 55 appearances in all competitions for Floridsdorfer, scoring six goals and providing six assists. Additionally, he earned his first Austria U19s cap in a friendly against Italy in February 2024 and has now progressed to their U21s set up.
On joining Dundee for the season he added, “It’s a good project in a good league, so I think I will develop a lot. I’ve spoken to their coaches and they’re happy to have me, so I want to score as many goals as possible and develop my game.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson the first non-British manager of the England team, led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals at three major tournaments during his five-year spell in charge between 2001 and 2006. Eriksson managed twelve clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester City, Roma and Lazio winning eighteen trophies. The Swede also had spells in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
In January, Eriksson said he had “at best” a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer. His children, Lina and Johan, said on Monday, “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.
Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. They shared their love for football and for dad. It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.
We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us. After retiring as a player at the age of twenty-seven, beginning his managerial career with Degerfors in 1977 before joining fellow Swedish side Gothenburg, where he won the league title, two domestic cups and the 1982 Uefa Cup.
He then went on to enjoy two spells with Portuguese giants Benfica as well as managing Italian sides Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio where he won seven trophies including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Following his diagnosis, Eriksson spent the year visiting some of his former clubs, including Lazio and Sampdoria. In March the Swede a lifelong Liverpool fan, lead the Liverpool Legends team which beat an Ajax Legends side 4-2 at Anfield.
He shared a poignant message at the end of his new documentary ‘Sven’, which was released earlier this month. In the closing scene of the Amazon film, Eriksson says: “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when it is finished, when we die. But life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully at the end, people will say: ‘Yeah, he was a good man.’ But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds. It has been fantastic. Take care of yourself and your life and live it. Bye.”
Former England striker Michael Owen described Eriksson as “one of the very best” and “a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the world of football”. The Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association, said: “Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. “He will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Fifa lowered Sweden’s flag to half mast at its headquarters, and president Gianni Infantino said: “As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game. “As a football person, he always led with enthusiasm and with a smile. On behalf of Fifa and our global community, I send my condolences to Sven-Goran’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Eriksson resigned as Lazio manager in January 2001 to succeed Kevin Keegan as England boss. He revived a flagging 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign to secure their place at the tournament in Japan & South Korea, including a stunning 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich. It was after that win that Eriksson’s team – featuring Michael Owen, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were coined the ‘golden generation’ by then FA chief executive Adam Crozier.
The Three Lions defeated Argentina 1-0 in the group stage at that tournament but were beaten 2-1 by eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals. They would also reach the last eight two years later at Euro 2004, before losing to hosts Portugal on penalties. In January 2006, after securing England’s place at that summer’s World Cup, it was announced Eriksson was to leave following the tournament in Germany despite having two years left on his contract.
No official reason was given for his departure at the time, although the Swede had been under pressure after being caught in a newspaper sting by a tabloid journalist. England went on to reach the quarter-finals again but were beaten once more by Portugal on penalties. Eriksson’s years as England manager were marked by stories about his private life, including newspapers revealing relationships with television presenter and former Football Association secretary.
Clarets Set to Loan Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes to Dundee
Dundee Football Club could pull off a stunning transfer coup this week by landing Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes on loan. The Brazilian legend’s kid has just joined Burnley after spending last year in the Barcelona academy. The Dark Blues have a successful link up with the Sky Bet Championship club who sent Dara Costelloe, Owen Dodgson and Michael Mellon on loan last season. However, the nineteen year old winger could be sent to Dens Park on loan this week.
The Clarets have several fringe players who could head to their SPFL allies, but they are only allowed six international loans. Scotland is regarded as an international move under the regulations so Burnley cannot commit until they see if other players are loaned to European teams. However, Mendes who started his career at Cruzeiro before joining Barcelona in 2023 is one of those under consideration for a Dee switch.
Brazil icon and Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho won the FIFA World Cup and countless domestic honours during a glittering career for club and country. But Clarets gaffer Scott Parker has already moved to calm the hype around Mendes saying “I get all of the excitement, but I feel it would be really unfair to heap pressure on a young boy. Joao’s coming here to develop, is how we see it. I get the excitement with the links to his father, but there is still a lot to do. So I would probably dampen that down a bit.”
Dara O’Shea Signs Five Year Contract At Portman Road
Ipswich Town have this morning confirmed the signing of defender Dara O’Shea from Burnley. The centre-half joins Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee, signing a five-year deal which will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2029.
The twenty-five year old, who came through the Academy at West Bromwich Albion made more than 100 appearances for the Baggies before earning a move to Burnley in June 2023 following their promotion to the Premier League. Dara made his debut for the Clarets against Manchester City at the beginning of last season and netted his first goal for the club against Liverpool at Anfield in February. He has featured for the Republic of Ireland at U17, U18, U19 and U21 level and has won twenty-six senior caps, having also been named FAI Young Player of the Year in 2021.
Speaking about joining Ipswich Town Dara O’Shea said, “I’m really excited to sign for the Club, it was really hard not to pay attention to everything the team was able to achieve last season and to have the chance to join a club with such ambition and momentum was really attractive. The Manager (Kieran McKenna) was a huge part of why I wanted to come here and I’ve really admired what he and the team have done over the last couple of seasons, so at this stage of my career it’s the perfect time to make the move.
I want to play in the Premier League and test myself against the best players in the world, which is something I want to do for as long as possible, and I can’t think of a better place to do that. I know quite a few of the lads in the squad and the style of play really suits me, where I can show my strengths and improve my weaknesses, so I’m looking forward getting to work as soon as possible and being part of the culture.”
Luca Koleosho In Talks With Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers are in talks to sign Burnley winger Luca Koleosho before the end of the transfer window. The nineteen year old attacker is highly rated and impressed last season for the Clarets, as they were relegated from the Premier League.
Burnley signed Koleosho from Spanish side Espanyol in July 2023 for £2.6million plus £860,000 in add-ons. He managed one goal and one assist in fifteen Premier League games and so far in the Sky Bet Championship this season he has scored one goal in two appearances.
Koleosho was not named in the Clarets squad to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, however he was with the squad to support them whilst the wingers agents were in Wolverhampton to discuss terms of the contract as the young winger is looking for a return to the Premier League.
Benfica Chasing Loan Move For Clarets Striker Zeki Amdouni
Burnley striker Zeki Amdouni is looking to leave Turf Moor before the transfer window closes and Benfica are interested in signing the striker. Burnley signed the Switzerland International from Basel on a five-year contract when the Clarets were a top flight club.
The Clarets are now back in the Sky Bet Championship and the attacker is looking to move away from Turf Moor, Amdouni played only six minutes in Burnley’s win over Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship last weekend, though he did score. Now according to Swiss outlet 4-4-2.com, Amdouni wants to move on before the window closes.
Portuguese giants Benfica are looking to bring Amdouni in and it has been suggested that Benfica prefer a loan agreement for the Swiss forward due to Burnley’s €18m asking price. Benfica and Burnley are claimed to be in negotiations and the loan fee for Amdouni is expected to be around €4m if the deal happens. Now only time will tell if Benfica will be able to secure a loan deal for the Clarets forwards in the summer transfer window.
Clarets Icelandic Midfielder joins Saudi Pro League Side Al-Orobah
Burnley Football Club can confirm that midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson has joined Saudi Pro-League side Al-Orobah for an undisclosed fee. After joining the club in 2016 from Charlton Athletic the thirty-three year old has been an integral figure within the Clarets dressing room over the past eight seasons at Turf Moor.
Last Saturday saw Gudmundsson play his 200th league game for the Clarets and the Icelandic midfielder signed off in style. After curling home the fifth goal of the game against Cardiff City in his final match for the club. Gudmundsson made 225 appearances, UEFA Europa League qualification, two top ten Premier League finishes and a Sky Bet Championship league title. ‘JBG’ will always remain a fan favourite.
Experienced Defender Becomes Summer Signing Number Eight
Burnley Football Club have this evening announced the arrival of experienced centre-back Joe Worrall on a four-year deal from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee. The twenty-seven year old defender who has over 200 appearances across the Premier League and Sky Bet Championship with Nottingham Forest, also has experience in the SPL with Rangers and at Besiktas in Turkish Super Lig.
Upon signing for the Clarets, Worrall said, “I’m very happy to be a Burnley player! I can’t wait to be involved and help get them back to the Premier League. It felt like home as soon as I walked through the door and that’s what I want it to be. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the people in and around the club but also the fans! I want to strike up a bit of a rapport with them. I’m just looking forward to playing and winning games. That’s the main ambition for me, getting everybody on board with what we’re trying to do at the club and enjoy it as well!”
Nottingham-born Worrall joined Forest’s academy in 2011 and after rising through the academy system the defender was given his first taste of men’s football with a loan spell at League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge in January 2016. After returning to the City Ground ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, the towering centre-back made his first team debut in October 2016 against Reading in the Championship.
Worrall went on to play over 50 games across the next two seasons for Forest, before a season-long loan spell at Rangers to gain further experience in the 2018/19 campaign. The defender featured in every league fixture upon return to Nottingham the following year and captained Forest as they won promotion to the Premier League in the 2021/22 season via the play-offs. Worrall played over 30 games in Forest’s return to the top-flight, before a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas in February this year for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
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