Burnley have signed England defender Kyle Walker from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £5 million.
In one of the more unexpected moves of the summer transfer window, veteran right-back Kyle Walker has completed a permanent transfer from Manchester City to newly-promoted Burnley. The deal is reported to be worth up to £5 million, with the England international signing a two-year contract at Turf Moor.
Walker, now 35, brings a wealth of experience and silverware to a Burnley side looking to establish themselves in the Premier League following promotion. The defender reunites with former Tottenham Hotspur and England teammate Scott Parker, who now manages the Clarets.
Speaking after completing his medical and signing with the club, Walker said,
“I’m delighted to be here. When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at. 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.”
Walker made 15 appearances for Manchester City during the first half of the 2024/25 season before going out on loan to AC Milan in January. Although the move to Italy gave him much-needed playing time, Milan opted against making the deal permanent. With first-team opportunities limited at City, and the club having been knocked out in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 by Al-Hilal, a summer exit was on the cards.
Burnley were quick to act, and Walker was eager to remain in the north-west of England. Everton also expressed interest, but it was the chance to work with Parker that ultimately convinced Walker to choose the Clarets.
Walker becomes Burnley’s fifth signing of the summer window, joining Axel Tuanzebe, Quilindschy Hartman, Max Weiss, and Loum Tchaouna in a bolstered squad. His arrival is expected to add leadership and defensive steel to a backline that was key to Burnley’s success in the Championship.
Throughout his career, Walker has been regarded as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League era. Starting at Sheffield United, the pacey defender made a name for himself before earning a move to Tottenham Hotspur. After loan spells at QPR, Aston Villa, and a return to Sheffield, Walker firmly established himself at Spurs, which paved the way for a £45 million move to Manchester City in 2017.
His time at City was immensely successful. In seven years at the Etihad, Walker made 319 appearances and lifted 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the coveted UEFA Champions League in 2023. He was also part of the iconic treble-winning squad under Pep Guardiola and featured in the Premier League Team of the Year on four occasions.
At Burnley, Walker is expected to be a key figure both on and off the pitch. With Parker’s side aiming for stability in the top flight, Walker’s experience at the highest level could prove invaluable, especially in tight contests and during tough stretches of the season.
