Ahead of the 2025/26 premier league season, Coach of newly promoted Burnley Scott Parker has expressed his exciting with the signing of Kyle Walker from Manchester City.
Softfootball understands that the move was a reunion between Parker and Walker who both played at Tottenham Hotspur before their careers took different turns. Parker retired early and went into coaching while Walker remains a player.
In a chat with Skysports, the Clarets manager revealed his joy at having the seven-time Premier League winner, Walker as part of his squad for the new season. He said:
“It was a few conversations over the summer really and probably from the outset, when we were engaging in conversation, I played with Kyle, he was a young player at Spurs, I was at the other end of my career and I saw his talent. What he has gone on to achieve is nothing short of remarkable really and fully deserved. I think like anything, when there is an opportunity for someone of Kyle’s quality and ability, and we are in a race for that, it was one that excited me, for sure.
“I think the biggest thing I can say to Kyle is when I was speaking to him was the challenges he speaks about. This is a guy that every season has had a challenge, that challenge is probably different now but the feeling he gives me, and I know him, is it’s a challenge he is absolutely relishing. What gets this human being up every morning is knowing there is a challenge ahead.
“No doubt, Kyle could have had other opportunities for sure. But I think the challenge of this next thing for him is what gets him out of bed, it’s one he’s engaged with, one he’s going to drive, one he’s going to push every ounce of himself to try and get us to be successful this year. For me, of course, the quality is there and what he’s achieved is there and I hope he brings every bit of that to this young squad and pushes us as far as we can go really.”
Softfootball had reported earlier that Walker was close to Burnley switch. Now, its sealed and he will work with former teammate, Scott Parker.
Walker spent last season on loan at AC Milan before signing a two-year deal at Burnley for a reported fee of £5m.
