Kyle Walker is set to make his return to the Premier League. The experienced defender is being sold by Manchester City to newly promoted Burnley, who recently also signed Quilindschy Hartman from Feyenoord.
Kyle Walker’s return to the Premier League has officially been confirmed, as Burnley secure the services of the experienced right-back from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £5 million, including bonuses.
The 35-year-old defender has signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted club, marking a fresh chapter in his illustrious career. According to The Athletic, Walker underwent a successful medical on Friday, with the final confirmation arriving from Burnley on Saturday delivered, characteristically, in their quirky and distinctive style on social media that fans have come to enjoy.
This move comes after Walker spent the 2024/25 season on loan at AC Milan. During his stint in Serie A, the English international made sixteen official appearances across all competitions. Although there were early signs of promise, he ultimately failed to secure a permanent spot in Stefano Pioli’s starting eleven. Milan, who had negotiated a purchase option as part of the loan deal, ultimately chose not to activate it, leaving Walker’s future uncertain until Burnley stepped in.
Walker’s exit from Manchester City also has financial implications for the club. Despite his wealth of experience and past contributions, his high wages the result of a contract reflective of his status as a former captain and member of City’s most successful generation had become a burden. His contract was set to run until the summer of 2026, but with the club looking to restructure and make room for younger talents, the decision was made to facilitate his departure.
The veteran defender leaves Manchester City with an extraordinary legacy. Since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for a fee exceeding €50 million, Walker became a key pillar of Pep Guardiola’s defensive setup. His pace, strength, and tactical awareness allowed City to play a high defensive line and dominate possession. Over eight trophy-laden seasons, he amassed 17 major honours, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the crowning jewel: the UEFA Champions League title in 2023. His presence, leadership, and consistency earned him not just medals but also the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
His international career has been equally notable. With 96 caps for England, Walker has been a mainstay in the national team setup for over a decade. He featured prominently at Euro 2024, starting in the final against Spain a narrow defeat that once again denied England a major international title, but highlighted Walker’s ongoing relevance at the highest level.
At Burnley, Walker steps into a new role one that combines experience with mentorship. The club, freshly promoted to the Premier League, is rebuilding with a blend of youthful energy and seasoned veterans. He reunites with manager Scott Parker, a former teammate from his Tottenham days between 2011 and 2013. Parker, appointed as Burnley boss in early 2024 following the departure of Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich, is eager to shape a team that can survive and thrive in England’s top flight. Bringing in a leader like Walker, who knows what it takes to win at the highest level, is a statement of intent.
Walker won’t be alone in finding familiar faces at Turf Moor. Burnley have been particularly active in the transfer market, recruiting heavily from the Dutch league and beyond. Quilindschy Hartman, a left-back signed from Feyenoord, is another high-profile addition this summer. Like Walker, Hartman will bring international experience and attacking dynamism to Burnley’s flanks.
Moreover, Burnley now boasts a noticeable Dutch contingent in their squad. In addition to Hartman, the club already has Zian Flemming an attacking midfielder known for his creativity and set-piece prowess as well as young talents Jayden Banel and Shurandy Sambo. This growing Dutch core suggests a broader strategy at Burnley: one that looks to the Eredivisie and young European talent as key sources of recruitment, while also balancing the squad with battle-hardened Premier League veterans.
For Walker, the move represents not only a return to regular top-flight football but also the chance to play a pivotal role in Burnley’s survival campaign. While he may no longer be the rampaging full-back of his prime, his leadership, reading of the game, and versatility he has also played as a centre-back in a back three will be invaluable assets for a side looking to defy the odds.
Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League came after a season of resilience and tactical evolution in the Championship. Now, with Parker at the helm and Walker in the dressing room, the club hopes to establish itself as more than just a yo-yo team. With the right blend of youthful promise and veteran experience, they aim to write a new chapter in their history and Walker, fresh off a glittering era at Manchester City, might just be the ideal figure to help lead them into it.
