Former Manchester United prospect to join Burnley on a free transfer

Scott Parker is bringing in more defensive experiences (Picture: Getty Images)

Burnley are set to snap up Axel Tuanzebe on a free transfer after his contract with Ipswich Town comes to an end.

The 27-year-old joined the Tractor Boys in 2023 and made 22 appearances in all competitions in his first season as they were promoted to the Premier League.

The defender remained a regular in the first team in the top flight, making 22 Premier League appearances as Ipswich were relegated back to the Championship.

The Athletic report that he was offered a new contract at Portman Road, but he will continue his career in the Premier League.

Newly-promoted Burnley are on the verge of signing him up, with the defender undergoing a medical at Turf Moor.

The DR Congo international can operate at right-back, which is where he mainly turned out for Ipswich, or in the heart of defence.

The Clarets will offer Tuanzebe the chance to play for his fourth team in the Premier League after Manchester United, Aston Villa and Ipswich.

Axel Tuanzebe leaves Ipswich after two seasons at Portman Road (Picture: Getty Images)

Tuanzebe made his professional debut with Manchester United as a 19-year-old in 2007 after coming through the club’s academy.

He would remain a Red Devils player until 2023 but spent a lot of time out on loan, with three short-term spells at Aston Villa and stints with Napoli and Stoke.

The 2020-21 season with Manchester United saw him feature reasonably regularly, making 19 appearances in all competitions, but in total for the Red Devils he only ever played 37 times.

Tuanzebe was offered a new contract by Ipswich but turned it down (Picture: Getty Images)

He will join a Burnley defence that worked wonders in the Championship last season under Scott Parker.

The Clarets conceded just 16 goals in 46 games as they finished second in the Championship with 100 points.

A record-equalling 30 clean sheets came along the way and Burnley did not concede more than one goal in any game.

Burnley's 2024-25 Championship Record

Games: 46

Won: 28

Drawn: 16

Lost: 2

Goals For: 69

Goals Against: 16

Clean sheets: 30

Points: 100

Parker hopes that his miserly defence will help the team achieve success in the top flight as they did in the Championship.

‘It’s probably the bedrock and hopefully a summit that has been ingrained in us now. It’s a habit for us,’ he said.

‘Of course, we go up a level where the tests will come thick and fast and we understand that. But after coming out of a big season where we’ve been pretty remarkably defensively, we’ll see where that takes us.’

from: elfutbolero.us