Burnley

Image source, Getty Images

Former Burnley and Northern Ireland striker Willie Irvine has died aged 82 following a long illness.

Irvine was the joint top scorer in English football's top-flight in the 1965-66 season, with 29 league goals - alongside Liverpool's Roger Hunt - as Burnley finished third.

He scored a further eight cup goals and his 37 goals in a season remains a club record he shares with Jimmy Robson.

He had come through the youth system at Turf Moor and scored just 20 minutes into his debut in a 3-2 win at Arsenal in the penultimate game of the 1962-63 season.

The then-teenager kept his place for the final game at home to Birmingham - and scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.

In all, he scored 97 times for the club in just 148 games, establishing himself as one of the most prolific strikers of the period.

Irvine also scored eight times for his country as he won 23 caps - and it would surely have been more had his career not been hit by injury.

Following a broken leg at the age of 23 which affected his form, Irvine moved to Preston North End, where he continued to find the back of the net with regularity despite more injury problems.

A move to Brighton followed and he helped the then-third tier side to promotion before a short spell with Halifax Town. He was forced to retire aged 29.

Irvine remained living in Burnley after football and in more recent years had worked at Turf Moor, entertaining corporate guests and giving stadium tours.

"Burnley Football Club are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Burnley and Northern Ireland International, Willie Irvine," the Premier League club said.

Preston said their club was "saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Willie Irvine, who made 81 appearances for North End between 1968 and 1971.

"Our thoughts are with Willie's friends and family at this difficult time."

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley manager Scott Parker split up his squad to take on two friendlies at the same time on Saturday afternoon, as the Clarets faced Shrewsbury Town and Huddersfield Town in a pre-season double-header.

Parker split his squad fairly evenly between the two matches, but goalkeeper James Trafford was a notable absence amid speculation around his future at the newly-promoted club.

The Clarets did pick up two positive results though; settling for a 2-2 draw against League Two side Shrewsbury and a dominant 2-0 win over League One side Huddersfield.

Youngsters Tommy McDermott and Joe Westley stole the show against the Terriers at Accu Stadium, scoring a header and a close-range shot respectively.

Burnley have confirmed the appointment of Pal Fjelde as a set-piece coach.

Fjelde has previously worked at clubs in his native Norway, including Bryne, Viking, and Staal. He has also worked as a set-piece coach for the Norway Football Federation.

"I'm very excited. It's a huge opportunity and I'm really happy to have the trust of the manager and from the club," Fjelde said.

"I think more and more clubs see the importance of set-pieces and how crucial they can be in matches, so it's important to emphasise and put the work in on them."

Newcastle United are in danger of losing out to Manchester City in their attempt to buy Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Trafford is "very keen" to return to City this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Burnley FC

Burnley have announced a multi-year partnership with social media platform X.

The corporation will become the club's first "strategic digital platform partner" and the Clarets say they will work together to "deliver world-class fan engagement, content and brand amplification".

As part of the partnership, Burnley will work with the platform on a new X Originals series that will have 20 episodes drop fortnightly, providing behind-the-scenes content of first-team players, staff and leaders at the training ground, Turf Moor and inside the dressing room throughout the season.

Burnley have over 820,000 followers on X and regularly produce viral content with their humorous takes on transfer signing announcements that have racked up millions of views.

Clarets chairman Alan Pace said: "Whether it be our now world-famous transfer reveal videos, or our incredible end-of-season dressing-room celebrations, X has been home to some of our most popular and engaging social content.

"Community is at the heart of everything that we do, so partnering with X enables us to expand that community even further and bring our passionate fanbase closer together, while growing our visibility with new digital audiences."

Jonathan Lewis, X Corporation's UK managing director, added: "The Clarets have one of the most passionate fanbases in the game and we can't wait to bring the spirit of the club's supporters to life on X as the club chases glory this season."

Burnley's summer signing Quilindschy Hartman says it felt like he was "cheating" on Feyenoord when he agreed his move to Turf Moor, but he thought he needed a "new environment" after 15 years at the Eredivisie club.

The 23-year-old defender has been speaking about moving to east Lancashire, the club's ethos, why the Premier League is on a par with playing in the Champions League and why he would not have made the move if unable to bring his dog with him.

"Scott Parker told me this is a special team in the talks we had before me signing," Hartman told BBC Radio Lancashire's Dan Jewell. "When I came in on my first day, I could immediately see it.

"I can see this is a good group with nice people. Everyone is talking to each other, there are no groups and you have no specific place at dinner, so every time you are coming into contact with a different person.

"If you have a good connection off the pitch then it is going to be easier to work for each other on the pitch. If someone loses the ball, I will be happy to run for them and try to recover it."

Watch the full 10-minute BBC Radio Lancashire interview below...

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley's owners Velocity Sport Limited have agreed a deal to acquire La Liga side Espanyol.

It means the Clarets become the latest team to join the multi-club ownership model a number of teams in the Premier League already have.

Espanyol play in the top tier of Spanish football, where they finished 14th last season, two points above the relegation zone.

The two clubs will continue to run separately but will now be part of the same ownership group.

"With this deal, RC Espanyol and Burnley will be part of this investment group, which expands its interests by having a club in La Liga and another in the Premier League - although each will remain independent," Espanyol said in a statement.

Velocity Sport Limited, the sports investment arm of ALK Capital, took over Burnley in December 2020.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker says he is "delighted" with the club's summer transfer business so far.

The Clarets have made five signings for their Premier League return; Kyle Walker, Axel Tuanzebe, left-back Quilindschy Hartman, goalkeeper Max Weiss and French winger Loum Tchaouna.

"We've brought in some very good players, and good business with that as well," said Parker. "Hopefully there is some more to come, and we can keep developing and pushing.

"I'm delighted with the business we've done so far.

Parker's Burnley were were promoted back to the Premier League last season following relegation under Vincent Kompany in 2024.

They did so conceding a record-low 16 goals, while recording 30 clean sheets and reaching 100 points in the Championship.

"For sure we can take momentum," former England international Parker said on building on those achievements.

"We're coming off a season where we achieved something which was unprecedented. What we did last year was nothing short of remarkable, and it was this group of players and us as a football club that did that really.

"We'll go and face this challenge this year with full commitment, desire and a real excitement about it, like we did last year. There are different dynamics this year of course but it's one where we are hoping to go in there and be ourselves and try to be successful."

Much was made of the three promoted clubs getting relegated from the Premier League for the second successive campaign last season, but Parker is excited for his first taste of top-flight management since he was sacked by Bournemouth in August 2022.

"Of course, there's a challenge and we understand that the narrative is that the challenge is going to be very difficult," he added.

"The last two seasons it was well documented that teams that come up get relegated from this division, but like always, I always mention to the players that these are the challenges that we relish.

"We had a really successful year last year, set our objectives and we managed to achieve them. Now full focus is on this upcoming season.

"We are absolutely full of excitement now and can't wait for the challenge that we face, which is the Premier League, which we all aspire to be in."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is "desperate" to join the Magpies this transfer window.

Discussing the potential transfer on BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport Newcastle United podcast, Anderson reflected on reports emanating from the Chronicle, external that the 22-year-old's price tag is set at £40m - and that Burnley are holding out for it.

"I don't know about this transfer," Anderson said.

"It comes down the fact a player is worth what you're prepared to pay for them. We were prepared to pay £55m for Anthony Elanga - I'm not sure how much we're prepared to pay for Trafford.

"We've offered £27m. How much higher will we go? I think it will come to a situation where they'll meet halfway, somewhere between £40m and £27m, around the £30m mark.

"It looks like he's a goalkeeper who's desperate to get in because of how long this has been going on so, you'd think this is a deal that will be done this summer."

Listen to the full podcast

Burnley are preparing an £18m move for Norwich City striker Josh Sargent, though Leeds United also remain interested in the 25-year-old USA international. (SportsBoom), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley striker Andreas Hountondji has joined Bundesliga side St Pauli on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.

Benin international Hountondji joined the Clarets from French side Caen in the summer of 2024. He made 10 appearances, before joining Standard Liege on loan for the second half of last season.

The 23-year-old featured 18 times in Belgium, scoring four goals and assisting twice.

Burnley are in the race to sign 18-year-old striker Devine Samuel, who has rejected a new contract at Leyton Orient. The Clarets face competition from Wolves and Blackburn Rovers for the young forward's signature. (Birmingham World), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on the signing of Kyle Walker from Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Matthew: Kyle Walker is an outstanding signing for Burnley along with the other editions we have brought in so far. Centre-half alongside Maxime Esteve in my reckoning. It shows the intention, from our great board and manager, that we mean business next season. I have no doubt whatsoever that there will be three teams with less points than us by the end of the season. We will be trimming the squad at some point as it is quite big for us at present with sales or loans and a striker will be coming in next.

Peter: Exactly the experience we need in defence for the PL. It's what we lacked the last time, having stupidly let Ben Mee go. Great signing - well done, Scott Parker!

Simon: What a coup! He may not be at his peak but he's also not shown any evidence of significant fall off either. Although Connor Roberts was a stalwart last season, the opportunity to buy a player of Walker's experience and quality will be immensely beneficial to the entire squad and particularly the already solid defensive unit against much better attacking opposition this season. This signing will also hopefully improve our chances of signing players of a similar ilk who may have had doubts of signing for little old Burnley before now too.

Russell: Experience is essential in a newly promoted side and his leadership qualities should be a great asset to Burnley. Not now at the top of his game, but still a good acquisition for a club that need stability on promotion.

Graham: Very surprised! I wasn't expecting another right-back as we had two internationals already. A statement signing that I hope has positive implications, both on and off the park. I'm a little concerned at the pay differential though and the impact on other squad members.

Mark: I don't know what to make of this signing, I'm hoping it's not a big mistake like when we signed Joe Hart. I know I may sound negative but he's 35 now and lost his pace, which he was known for.

Image source, Getty Images

Kyle Walker believes adding his experience to an already "exciting" squad of players, can set Burnley up for a successful return to the Premier League.

Walker completed his £5m move to Turf Moor from Manchester City on Saturday, signing a two-year-deal, and the 35-year-old is ready to get started

"I'm delighted to be here," Walker told Burnley's club website.

"Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can't wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad."

The right-back played with Clarets' head coach Scott Parker for two seasons during his time at Spurs and is excited to be reunited with his former team-mate.

"When I spoke to Scott [Parker] and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at," he added.

"He's done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League with a 100-point haul, and now we're looking forward, together, at being back in the greatest league in the world."

What do you think about the signing of Kyle Walker?

Have your say here

Newcastle are aiming to tie up a deal for Burnley's English goalkeeper James Trafford, 22, as early as next week. (i paper), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

New Burnley signing Loum Tchaouna says a "really good conversation" with manager Scott Parker convinced him to make the move from Italian giants Lazio.

The 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Turf Moor after competing in this summer's under-21 European Championship for France.

A youth product of Rennes, Tchaouna made his senior debut as a 18-year-old in 2021 before a loan move to second tier Dijon a year later. In 2023 he joined Italian side Salernitana before a permanent move to Lazio in 2024.

He has already played 130 games across Serie A, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

"It's a very proud day for me to sign for this special club," Tchaouna said on the move.

"I spoke with the manager during the Euros this summer and we had a really good conversation, which made me realise I wanted to be here.

"I can't wait to get ready for the upcoming season and to play in front of the supporters."

Burnley are working on striker options for manager Scott Parker, with Genk and Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare, 24, under consideration. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Former Burnley midfielder Jack Cork has joined Scott Parker's first team coaching set-up ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Cork made over 250 appearances for the Clarets during a five-year spell in the top flight and spent last season with the under-21s as a coach.

"It's a really exciting moment for me to be honest," said Cork. "I'm still quite new to coaching.

"We had a really good year last season with the under-21s. I really enjoyed my first season in coaching, working alongside the likes of Andy Farrell, Tony Philliskirk and Matt Walsh.

"Then the manager rang me in the summer to say there would be some changes within the coaching set-up and asked if I would be interested in moving over and being around the first team.

"It was an amazing opportunity I couldn't turn down."