Burnley announce Taylor – but fee with Leeds to be agreed

charlie taylor leeds

Burnley have confirmed the signing of left-back Charlie Taylor on a four-year deal after reaching the end of his existing contract at Leeds United.

Having turned down the offer of a new deal at Elland Road, a fee to bring the 23-year-old defender to Turf Moor is yet to be determined and looks likely to be done via a tribunal, unless the Clarets can convince the Whites to accept their offer.

Taylor, 23, insisted the lure of Premier League football made the move to Turf Moor a “no-brainer”.

He told Clarets Player HD: “It’s my first move permanently away from Leeds, so it’s something different for me but something I can’t wait to crack on with.

“I’ve been there since I was nine and I knew it was the right time really. There were so many things that attracted me to Burnley; it ticks every box and it was a no-brainer really.

“That’s the huge attraction of the Premier League, just everything about it! Week in, week out you are playing teams like Chelsea and Manchester United, so I just can’t wait to get started.”

Taylor reported for pre-season training with his new team mates on Thursday morning, having put behind him the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs with Leeds last season.

He added: “Last season was definitely a positive one for Leeds. It didn’t end too great, missing out on the play-offs but there’s definitely a lot of positives to take from that.

“It was a tough decision in the end to leave, but one I had to make.

“It’s nice to hear some nice comments from Leeds fans. I was there a long time and it is sad to leave but I’m just looking forward to the next chapter in my life and kicking on, trying to improve with the manager, the staff and get used to the surroundings and my team mates.

“The competition here is huge. I watched Burnley a lot last season and they were very impressive with their home form.

“Stephen Ward did brilliant, so I’ve got to fight hard to get in the team. But I’m sure even if I’m not I can learn a lot of things off him.

“I just want to improve and try to help Burnley go onto that next level, stay in the Premier League, and kick on to bigger and better things.”

 

Taylor started his career at Leeds, where he spent 14 years. A youth graduate, he was awarded a professional contract in the summer of 2011, signing an initial three-year deal.

His senior debut followed early in the 2011/12 season and the York-born defender made two Championship appearances for Leeds during a campaign which also saw him spend a month on loan at Bradford City.

Loan spells at York City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle followed during the 2012/13 season and Taylor was on the move again in 2013/14.

Signed for Fleetwood Town by former Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander in October, 2013, Taylor stayed for the remainder of the season and played a key role as the Cod Army were promoted via the League Two play-offs.

He was rewarded back at Leeds with a new three-year contract and the former England U19 international began to establish himself in the first team during a turbulent spell for the former Football League champions.

Despite several changes of management at Elland Road, Taylor clocked up the appearances – playing 52 consecutive Championship games before sustaining an injury in December, 2016 – and enhancing a reputation as one of the best young left-backs outside the Premier League.

Charlie Taylor: Facing punishment

After being crowned Player of the Year in the 2015/16 season, he was offered a new deal at Leeds but opted not to sign, paving the way for a move away from the club after they just missed out on the Championship play-offs under Garry Monk in 2017.

Taylor left Leeds after making 104 appearances for the club to make the jump to the Premier League and take on a new challenge with the Clarets as manager Sean Dyche’s first summer signing ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Burnley Charlie Taylor Leeds