The 2025/26 season marks Burnley’s return to the Premier League following a two-year absence, a period that tested the club’s resilience but ultimately reinforced its identity. After relegation in 2024 under Vincent Kompany (who departed for Bayern Munich), the Clarets spent two seasons in the Championship, winning promotion as runners-up in 2024/25 under the guidance of a new managerial appointment. The Turf Moor faithful, whose passion for their club remains undimmed by relegation, welcome back top-flight football with realistic ambition rather than reckless expectation. This Burnley squad differs markedly from the possession-heavy, technically ambitious team Kompany built; instead, the club has returned to its traditional strengths—physicality, organisation, set-piece prowess, and direct transitions. The recruitment model, once fixated on continental prospects, has pivoted towards Championship-proven performers and Premier League veterans. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Burnley’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. James Trafford
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers (loan)
Transfer Fee: £15 million (2023)
James Trafford remained at Turf Moor through the club’s Championship exile and has emerged as one of the division’s finest goalkeepers, now ready to prove himself in the Premier League following a full Championship campaign. The 23-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25 Championship) and reflexes remain his primary weapons; his post-shot expected goals prevented (PSxG+/-) reached +7.1, leading the division. Trafford’s command of the penalty area, claiming crosses (88% success) and organising set-piece defences, matured noticeably through 46 Championship appearances. His distribution (87% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters and clipped passes to advancing wing-backs, suits Burnley’s direct transitional style. Having started every Championship match in 2024/25, keeping 19 clean sheets, he played an integral role in promotion. Trafford’s relationship with English teammates provides comfort; his Manchester City academy education provides elite technical foundations. Trafford’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley rejecting January 2025 approaches from Newcastle. His performance against Leeds in the promotion run-in—making 8 saves, including a penalty stop—demonstrated his Premier League readiness.
2. Lawrence Vigouroux
Nationality: Chilean (English-born)
Former Clubs: Liverpool, Swindon Town (loan), Waterford (loan), Everton (youth), Leyton Orient
Transfer Fee: £500,000 (2023)
Lawrence Vigouroux has accepted a rotational role behind Trafford, providing experienced cover, Chilean international pedigree, and cup competition reliability. The 31-year-old’s shot-stopping (71% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) remain solid. Vigouroux’s experience—including promotion with Leyton Orient (2022/23)—provides dressing room wisdom. He started 12 matches in 2024/25 (cup competitions and Trafford’s rest), keeping 6 clean sheets. Vigouroux’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as valuable backup.
3. Denis Franchi
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Paris Saint-Germain academy
Transfer Fee: £1 million (2023)
Denis Franchi has graduated to emergency third-choice option following patient development in Burnley’s academy and a loan at Morecambe (2024/25, 35 League Two appearances). The 23-year-old’s shot-stopping fundamentals are sound, though his distribution requires refinement. Franchi’s contract runs through 2028, with another loan likely.
Defenders
1. Dara O’Shea
Nationality: Irish
Former Clubs: West Bromwich Albion
Transfer Fee: £7 million (2023)
Dara O’Shea has become Burnley’s defensive leader and captain, providing Irish international pedigree, aerial dominance, and organisational communication through the club’s Championship promotion campaign. The 26-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—proved instrumental in the division’s best defensive record. His passing from deep (89% completion, 4.0 progressive passes per 90) initiates attacks efficiently. O’Shea’s aerial duel success (81%) and tackling (2.4 per 90) provide defensive security. His partnership with Jordan Beyer has conceded only 0.78 goals per 90 minutes over their Championship-winning campaign. O’Shea’s leadership, formalised as club captain in 2025 following Josh Brownhill’s departure, manages Burnley’s dressing room through professional standards and vocal authority. O’Shea’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley rejecting January 2025 approaches. His performance against Sheffield United in the promotion run-in—winning 12 duels, scoring a crucial header—demonstrated his influence.
2. Jordan Beyer
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: £13 million (2023)
Jordan Beyer has justified Burnley’s investment by becoming one of the Championship’s most complete centre-backs, combining German technical quality with physicality and recovery pace. The 25-year-old’s ball-carrying (3.8 progressive carries per 90) and passing (90% completion, 4.8 progressive passes) enable Burnley to build play through defensive phases. His reading of the game (2.3 interceptions per 90) and recovery pace (35.1 km/h) provide defensive security. Beyer’s aerial duel success (78%) and tackling (2.5 per 90) complement O’Shea’s strengths. His partnership with O’Shea has developed telepathic understanding; their complementary styles (O’Shea’s aggression, Beyer’s composure) create defensive synergy. Beyer’s relationship with German speakers (none currently) provides comfort; his Bundesliga education provided big-club exposure. Beyer’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley viewing him as long-term defensive cornerstone. Beyer’s performance against Middlesbrough in 2025—playing out of pressure, initiating the winning goal—demonstrated his Premier League readiness.
3. Connor Roberts
Nationality: Welsh
Former Clubs: Swansea City
Transfer Fee: £2.5 million (2021)
Connor Roberts has become Burnley’s reliable right-back workhorse, providing Welsh international experience, overlapping runs, and defensive diligence through the club’s relegation and promotion cycles. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 6 assists in 2024/25 Championship. His defensive positioning (2.0 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.5 per 90) provide security. Roberts’s experience—including 50+ Premier League appearances for Burnley and Wales’s World Cup campaign (2022)—provides dressing room wisdom. His relationship with Welsh teammates (none currently) provides comfort. Roberts’s contract runs through 2027, with Burnley considering extension. Roberts’s performance against Norwich in 2025—assisting the winning goal, making 5 tackles—demonstrated his reliability.
4. Charlie Taylor
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Leeds United
Transfer Fee: £6 million (2017)
Charlie Taylor has become Burnley’s longest-serving current player, entering his ninth season at Turf Moor and providing veteran left-back cover, defensive diligence, and dressing room continuity. The 32-year-old’s defensive positioning (2.1 interceptions per 90), tackling (2.6 per 90), and 1v1 defending remain reliable. His attacking output (2 assists in 2024/25) remains limited. Taylor’s relationship with the club—over 250 appearances—provides emotional connection. His contract expires in 2027, with a coaching role or lower-league move likely thereafter.
5. Vitinho
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Cercle Brugge
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2022)
Vitinho has established himself as Burnley’s first-choice left-back following patient development, providing Brazilian attacking thrust, dribbling quality, and defensive improvement. The 26-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.0 per 90) and dribbling (3.2 successful take-ons per 90) created 4 assists in 2024/25. His defensive positioning (1.7 interceptions per 90) improved through Championship exposure. Vitinho’s relationship with Portuguese-speaking teammates (none currently) provides comfort. His contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as long-term left-back solution. Vitinho’s performance against Sunderland in 2025—assisting two goals, completing 6 dribbles—demonstrated his attacking ceiling.
6. Hjalmar Ekdal
Nationality: Swedish
Former Clubs: Djurgårdens IF
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
Hjalmar Ekdal has developed into a reliable centre-back rotation option following patient integration, providing Swedish physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical discipline. The 27-year-old’s aerial duel success (82%) and tackling (2.4 per 90) provide defensive security. His passing (86% completion) remains basic. Ekdal’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as valuable depth. Ekdal’s performance against Hull in 2025—winning 10 duels, keeping a clean sheet—demonstrated his physical ceiling.
7. Hannes Delcroix
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Anderlecht
Transfer Fee: £2.5 million (2023)
Hannes Delcroix has provided left-sided centre-back depth following his arrival from Anderlecht, offering Belgian international pedigree and recovery pace. The 26-year-old’s recovery pace (35.2 km/h) and tackling (2.3 per 90) provide cover. Delcroix’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley considering sale or extension.
Midfielders
1. Josh Cullen
Nationality: Irish
Former Clubs: West Ham United, Charlton Athletic (loan), Anderlecht
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Josh Cullen has become Burnley’s midfield metronome and vice-captain, providing Irish passing security, tactical discipline, and relentless work rate through the club’s Premier League relegation and Championship promotion. The 29-year-old’s passing (91% completion, 5.2 progressive passes per 90) and composure under pressure enable Burnley to control possession in midfield. His work rate (11.6 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.0 pressures per 90) set Burnley’s standards. Cullen’s tackling (2.6 per 90) and interceptions (2.1 per 90) provide midfield security. His partnership with Sander Berge provides midfield balance (Cullen’s passing, Berge’s physicality). Cullen’s relationship with Irish teammate Dara O’Shea provides comfort and on-pitch communication. Cullen’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as long-term midfield anchor. Cullen’s performance against Leeds in 2025—controlling tempo, completing 94% of passes—demonstrated his Premier League readiness.
2. Sander Berge
Nationality: Norwegian
Former Clubs: Genk, Sheffield United
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2023)
Sander Berge remained at Burnley through the club’s Championship season, justifying the club’s faith by dominating the second tier and earning a Premier League return. The 27-year-old’s physicality (6’5”, 86kg) and ball-carrying (4.8 progressive carries per 90) through central areas bypass opposition presses. His tackling (3.0 per 90) and interceptions (2.3 per 90) provide midfield security. Berge’s passing (88% completion, 4.5 progressive passes) and composure under pressure enable Burnley to build play through midfield. His aerial duel success (79%) adds set-piece dominance. Berge’s goal contributions (8 goals, 6 assists in 2024/25 Championship) added unexpected scoring dimension. His partnership with Cullen has developed telepathic understanding. Berge’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley rejecting January 2025 approaches. Berge’s performance against Norwich in 2025—dominating midfield, scoring a towering header—demonstrated his Premier League ceiling.
3. Josh Brownhill (Captain)
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Preston North End (loan), Barnsley, Bristol City
Transfer Fee: £9 million (2020)
Josh Brownhill’s Burnley career has seen him serve as captain through the club’s relegation and immediate promotion, embodying the Clarets’ fighting spirit and professional standards. The 29-year-old’s work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.4 pressures per 90) set Burnley’s standards. His goal contributions (12 goals in 2024/25 Championship, his best professional return) provide unexpected scoring dimension from midfield. Brownhill’s passing (87% completion) remains secure, and his tackling (2.7 per 90) provides midfield security. His versatility across central midfield, right midfield, and attacking midfield offers Burnley tactical options. Brownhill’s relationship with the club—over 150 appearances—provides leadership continuity. His contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as long-term captain. Brownhill’s performance against Sheffield United in the promotion run-in—scoring a brace, making 7 tackles—demonstrated his influence.
4. Aaron Ramsey
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Aston Villa, Norwich City (loan), Middlesbrough (loan)
Transfer Fee: £14 million (2023)
Aaron Ramsey remained at Burnley through the Championship campaign, finally delivering on his potential with 10 goals and 9 assists from attacking midfield. The 22-year-old’s dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and close control unlock packed defences. His finishing (23% conversion rate) and creativity (0.41 expected assists per 90) provide elite production for a Championship midfielder. Ramsey’s work rate defensively (1.9 tackles per 90) and pressing intensity improved through regular football. His versatility across attacking midfield and both wings offers Burnley tactical flexibility. Ramsey’s relationship with English teammates provides comfort; his Aston Villa education provided early exposure. Ramsey’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley viewing him as long-term creative heartbeat. Ramsey’s performance against Middlesbrough in 2025—scoring a stunning solo goal, assisting two—demonstrated his Premier League potential.
5. Manuel Benson
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Royal Antwerp
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2022)
Manuel Benson has become Burnley’s impact substitute extraordinaire, providing Belgian flair, dribbling, and goal threat from the right flank in limited minutes. The 28-year-old’s dribbling (4.2 successful take-ons per 90 in Championship) and cutting inside onto his left foot produce chaos. His finishing (7 goals in 2024/25, primarily as substitute) and creativity (5 assists) provide value. Benson’s defensive work rate (1.5 tackles per 90) remains limited, restricting him to impact role. His contract runs through 2028, with Burnley viewing him as valuable squad piece. Benson’s performance against Luton in 2025—entering at 0-0, scoring a 88th-minute winner—demonstrated his impact ceiling.
6. Scott Twine
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: MK Dons, Hull City (loan)
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2022)
Scott Twine’s Burnley career has been disrupted by injuries, yet the attacking midfielder’s set-piece excellence and passing range provide depth when fit. The 26-year-old’s set-piece delivery (4 assists from corners in 2024/25 Championship) and shooting from distance (3 goals from outside the box) offer value. Twine’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley hopeful of improved fitness.
Forwards
1. Lyle Foster
Nationality: South African
Former Clubs: Westerlo
Transfer Fee: £7 million (2023)
Lyle Foster has overcome his well-documented mental health struggles to become Burnley’s most important attacking player, scoring 18 Championship goals in the promotion campaign. The 25-year-old’s pace (34.9 km/h top speed) and movement off the shoulder (3.0 shots per 90) terrorise Championship defences. His hold-up play (69% success receiving back to goal) and link-up with wingers provide additional value. Foster’s work rate pressing centre-backs (11.2 pressures per 90) sets Burnley’s defensive tone from the front. His versatility across center-forward and left wing offers tactical options. Foster’s relationship with South African teammates (none currently) provides comfort; his return to form after personal challenges provides inspiration. Foster’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley rejecting January 2025 approaches. Foster’s hat-trick against Rotherham in 2025—three clinical finishes—exemplified his evolved finishing.
2. Zeki Amdouni
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: Basel
Transfer Fee: £16 million (2023)
Zeki Amdouni remained at Burnley through the Championship campaign, rediscovering his goal-scoring touch with 15 goals and 8 assists. The 25-year-old’s movement off the shoulder (2.9 shots per 90) and finishing (24% conversion rate) provide consistent scoring threat. His link-up play, particularly dropping deep and laying off to advancing midfielders, created 8 assists. Amdouni’s versatility across center-forward and attacking midfield offers Burnley tactical options. His relationship with French-speaking teammates provides comfort; his Basel experience provided European exposure. Amdouni’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley viewing him as long-term attacking asset. Amdouni’s performance against Leicester in 2025—scoring a brace, assisting another—demonstrated his Premier League readiness.
3. Nathan Redmond
Nationality: English
Former Clubs: Birmingham City, Southampton, Besiktas
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Nathan Redmond’s Burnley career has provided experienced wing depth, pace, and dribbling quality through the club’s Championship campaign. The 31-year-old’s dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90 in Championship) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 6 assists. His finishing (5 goals in 2024/25) remains inconsistent. Redmond’s experience—including 200+ Premier League appearances—provides dressing room wisdom. His contract runs through 2027, with Burnley viewing him as valuable squad piece. Redmond’s performance against Sunderland in 2025—assisting the winning goal—demonstrated his quality.
4. Michael Obafemi
Nationality: Irish
Former Clubs: Southampton, Swansea City
Transfer Fee: £3.5 million (2023)
Michael Obafemi’s Burnley career has been disrupted by injuries, yet the Irish striker’s pace and finishing provide depth when fit. The 25-year-old’s acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.6 seconds) and finishing (6 goals in limited minutes, 900 in 2024/25) offer value. Obafemi’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley hopeful of improved fitness.
5. Anass Zaroury
Nationality: Moroccan
Former Clubs: Lommel, Charleroi
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Anass Zaroury’s Burnley career has stalled following a promising debut Premier League season, with the Moroccan winger spending 2024/25 on loan at Hull City (7 Championship goals). The 24-year-old’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and creativity suggest potential. Zaroury’s contract runs through 2028, with Burnley considering integration or permanent sale.
6. Enock Agyei
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Anderlecht
Transfer Fee: £3.5 million (2023)
Enock Agyei has developed into a promising striking option following patient integration and a loan at Standard Liège (2024/25, 8 Belgian Pro League goals). The 20-year-old’s physicality (6’2”, 78kg) and finishing suggest potential. Agyei’s contract runs through 2029, with Burnley expecting increased contributions.
Conclusion
Burnley’s 2025/26 squad represents a pragmatic return to the club’s traditional identity after the possession-heavy Kompany experiment, a testament to the recruitment team’s flexibility and the manager’s tactical clarity. The defence, anchored by Dara O’Shea’s leadership and Jordan Beyer’s German composure, provides platform for Premier League survival. The midfield, dominated by Josh Cullen’s passing security and Sander Berge’s physicality, controls matches through organisation and transitions. The attack, headlined by Lyle Foster’s pace and Zeki Amdouni’s finishing, carries sufficient goal threat. Crucially, Burnley has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; players like Trafford, Beyer, Foster, and Amdouni represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves navigating Premier League intensity while avoiding the defensive naivety that doomed Kompany’s side (conceded 78 goals in 2023/24). Yet Turf Moor’s famous atmosphere, amplified by supporters who remember the Coyle, Dyche, and Kompany eras, provides emotional fuel. Burnley no longer experiments with continental philosophies; they return to what works—physicality, organisation, set-pieces, and relentless work rate. This squad appears equipped to deliver Premier League survival, ending the yo-yo cycle and establishing Burnley as top-flight regulars once more. The Clarets are back where they belong. UTC.
