Burnley has signed seven young players including Ne-Jai Tucker on their first professional contracts as they look to further their careers at Turf Moor.
Max Thompson, Sam Unwin, Harry Allen, Calen Gallagher-Allison, Owen Dodgson, Tucker, and Lewis Thomas have all penned deals after completing their scholarships with Burnley.
The septet began life as professionals as the Under-23s returned to start pre-season training today (Wednesday).
They are then likely to be part of the squad that travels to Scotland next week for a training camp at Stirling University.
All seven of the young players featured for the Burnley Under-23s last season as Steve Stone’s side just missed out on a place in the playoffs in their first season in the second tier of Premier League 2.
Striker Thompson, who finished as top scorer for the Under 23s, also made it as far as the bench at first-team level last season, having made his Premier League debut as a substitute at Manchester City in June, 2020.
Thompson, 19, previously spent time at Everton and Manchester United – where defenders Gallagher-Allison and Dodgson (both 18) also started their youth careers before linking up with the Clarets last season.
Unwin, 18, also started out in the Academy set-up at United before joining Burnley from Bury two years ago.
Goalkeeper Thomas has spent two seasons as a scholar with Burnley after arriving from Manchester City.
And after graduating from the youth team to the Under 23 set-up, the 19-year-old traveled with Burnley’s senior squad for the final Premier League game of last season at Sheffield United.
Thomas is joined in the goalkeeping department by Allen, another former United junior, who has developed through a three-year scholarship with Burnley.
And wingman Tucker – an 18-year-old Bermuda youth international – steps into the professional ranks after spending seven years coming through the Academy set-up at Turf Moor where Burnley are continuing to nurture young players on a potential pathway to the Premier League.
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