Axel Tuanzebe is set to continue his Premier League journey with Burnley, following his departure from Ipswich Town on a free transfer. The 27-year-old defender has reportedly undergone a medical at Turf Moor and is expected to be unveiled soon by the newly-promoted Clarets.
Tuanzebe played a crucial role at Ipswich across two seasons, initially helping the club secure promotion from the Championship in 2023. Despite Ipswich’s relegation back to the second tier the following season, the DR Congo international remained a reliable presence, making 22 Premier League appearances in the 2024–25 campaign.
Ipswich Town were keen to keep him at Portman Road, offering him a new contract. However, Tuanzebe has opted to remain in the top flight, choosing Burnley as his next destination. Known for his versatility, he operated primarily at right-back last season but is also capable of playing centrally in defence.
Tuanzebe will become the fourth club he has represented in the Premier League, following stints with Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Ipswich.
A product of the Manchester United academy, he made his professional debut for the Red Devils in 2007 at the age of 19. Although he stayed with the club until 2023, much of his time was spent on loan, including spells with Aston Villa (three times), Napoli, and Stoke City.
His most active season with United came in 2020–21 when he made 19 appearances across all competitions. In total, Tuanzebe featured 37 times for the Red Devils before moving on in search of more regular football.
At Burnley, he joins a defence that dominated the Championship under the guidance of Scott Parker. The Clarets finished second in the league with an outstanding record—only 16 goals conceded across 46 games, along with 30 clean sheets, equaling the division’s record. They lost just twice and amassed 100 points in the campaign.
Manager Scott Parker hopes to carry that defensive discipline into the Premier League. “It’s probably the bedrock and hopefully a summit that has been ingrained in us now,” Parker noted. “We go up a level where the tests will come thick and fast. But after coming out of a big season where we’ve been remarkably defensively, we’ll see where that takes us.”
Tuanzebe’s arrival brings more experience and depth to an already resilient Burnley backline, and the club will be hoping his Premier League pedigree can make a difference in their top-flight survival mission.