Heckingbottom says Iversen is 'best free transfer'published at 19:02 BST 21 August
19:02 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom has hailed goalkeeper Daniel Iversen as the Championship's "best free transfer".
North End re-signed Iversen, 28, on a free from Leicester City this summer.
The Dane made 71 Preston appearances during two loan spells between January 2021 and May 2022.
"Most people here knew what to expect, but it was new for Dan working with me and for me working with Dan," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"He's really comfortable here, he knows the place, he knows the people. He was really excited to come back and he was chomping at the bit from day one.
"I like to think we got the best free transfer out there. He gives off that aura and hopefully it brings the best out of him."
Media caption,
Parker on team news, 'positives' from defeat and 'mantra' for the seasonpublished at 16:46 BST 21 August
16:46 BST 21 August
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Parker confirmed Axel Tuanzebe and Bashir Humphreys are both back in training, while Armando Broja is now "another week down the line" and all are "edging to be involved at the weekend".
The Burnley boss felt there were "lots of positives" and "a lot of learnings" for the team to take from their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham on the opening weekend as they are "a young squad" and "still learning things".
On if it is easy to park and move on from that result now: "Yes, definitely. It was our mantra last year and will be this year. Football moves very quickly, psychologically it moves quickly. We can't spend days thinking about it. There is a need to reflect and have a ruthless assessment at times, face up to that and adopt an attitude of how and where we need to improve."
On how much business he is expecting the club to do over the next 10 days: "Hoping to do something if we can. There are different variables that come in this time of year. There are elements in our squad we want to try and improve but I know that is difficult. Regarding outgoings, there will be some players moving to lighten us with a heavy squad."
Parker does not feel Saturday's game is a must-win but thinks the fans will be "vital" this weekend and for the season. He added: "There will be bumpy times and adversity but I feel the fans can help this young team and spur us on, and I know they will be behind us through thick and thin and good and bad."
On what he expects facing fellow promoted side Sunderland: "A good side. A totally different team to the one we faced last year. They have brought in a lot of players, recruited well. I don't think anything has changed fundamentally in the structure, but personnel has changed and they have brought in added quality. Coming off a good result at home, but this is our first home game and a game we are looking forward to."
What do Burnley need in the transfer window?published at 10:48 BST 21 August
10:48 BST 21 August
Burnley have secured 13 permanent transfers this summer in a bid to survive in the Premier League, with sources suggesting that will be that unless a deal appears that they cannot resist.
Key defender Maxime Esteve has been the subject of interest, so if any late offers come in manager Scott Parker is likely to seek out a replacement.
The Clarets have also been dealt a blow in that area after Jordan Beyer, suffered a setback following 19 months out with a knee injury, so Parker will be weighing up that option carefully.
'It is not always about the amount of money a club spends'published at 16:54 BST 20 August
16:54 BST 20 August
Adam Cottier BBC Radio Lancashire reporter
Burnley appear to have taken some risks in the market in recent times and not all of them have proved worthwhile.
Judging by what you have been sending in to us via our 'Ask about Burnley' form, the question for the Clarets appears to be not what they spend but how well they spend it.
Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka look like shrewd, low-risk acquisitions given their rich experience, but past transfer windows have indicated Burnley are too often left with no return on their investment and that needs to stop.
There are several cases in point. Take, for example, Zeki Amdouni and Mike Tresor.
Before Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja arrived this summer, they were the players Burnley had spent the most on.
Tresor has made one substitute appearance since making a loan permanent two summers ago. Amdouni made the last of his 27 starts for the club in May 2024 and was sent on loan to Benfica last season.
For two players who reportedly cost more than £30m combined, they simply have not appeared to be worthwhile signings.
Michael Obafemi is another. Burnley paid a seven-figure sum for him two years ago after a loan spell. He is yet to start a league game.
Given his recent injury record, some observers will now look at Broja as a risk. But with inflated fees across the board, PSR rules and a tricky market to navigate, it may turn out to be a productive, cost-effective move should he sustain his fitness.
Burnley need him to be a success where others who have been recruited to enhance the attack in recent years have fallen short.
It is not always about the amount of money a club spends.
Trafford scoops PFA awardpublished at 11:57 BST 20 August
11:57 BST 20 August
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
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Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford claimed the Championship Player of the Year prize at the PFA awards in Manchester on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old collected the award after helping Burnley to promotion last season, amassing an incredible 29 clean sheets in 45 matches and conceding only 16 goals.
Trafford was also named in the Championship team of the year for his outstanding campaign at Turf Moor.
"I'm very proud to collect these awards and of what we achieved last season," he said. "We consistently put in really good defensive performances and it was great to have been a part of that.
"I loved my time at Burnley and improved massively as a goalkeeper and as a person. I am hoping to take all that into the new season now with Manchester City and looking forward to continuing my footballing journey."
Image source, Getty Images
