Veteran England defender Kyle Walker has officially signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Premier League side Burnley, ending a trophy-laden spell with Manchester City.
The transfer was completed for a reported fee of £5 million ($6.8 million), and marks a new chapter for the 35-year-old full-back, who brings immense experience to Turf Moor as the Clarets gear up for their return to top-flight football.
Walker, who joined Manchester City in 2017, was an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s era of dominance, making 410 Premier League appearances and helping the club clinch six league titles and a Champions League trophy. However, he found himself out of favour in the squad during the 2024/25 campaign, spending the second half of the season on loan at Serie A giants AC Milan. Despite a solid stint in Italy, Milan opted not to activate their option to make the move permanent.
Although Walker’s contract at City was valid until the end of the 2025/26 season, he had long been expected to make a move after falling out of City’s first-team plans. His omission from the Club World Cup squad only further fuelled speculation that his departure was imminent.
Speaking after the announcement, Walker expressed enthusiasm about his new challenge and spoke highly of Burnley manager Scott Parker, with whom he shares a history from their time together at Tottenham Hotspur between 2011 and 2013.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Walker said in the club’s official statement on Saturday. “When I spoke to Scott Parker 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.”
Having been capped 96 times by England, Walker’s leadership and defensive prowess are expected to play a crucial role in stabilising Burnley’s backline as they look to survive and thrive in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The transfer also reunites Walker with Parker in a different capacity—this time with Parker as manager—signalling a shared belief in Burnley’s project and a mutual respect that dates back to their playing days.
With this move, Burnley adds both experience and pedigree to their squad, while Walker gets an opportunity to remain in the Premier League and contribute meaningfully to a team with big ambitions.
What You Should Know
- Kyle Walker signed a two-year deal with Burnley on July 5, 2025, for £5 million from Manchester City, as announced in a club statement.
- The 35-year-old, with 410 Premier League appearances and six titles, reunites with ex-Tottenham teammate Scott Parker, Burnley’s manager.
- Walker, who was on loan at AC Milan in 2024–25, was not in City’s Club World Cup squad, prompting the transfer.
- Burnley earned promotion with 100 points, and Walker’s signing signals their intent to thrive in the Premier League, per X posts like @ClaretsFan.
- The move follows a week of football news, including Manchester United’s player departures and tributes for Diogo Jota at the Club World Cup.
