The Clarets have finally brought a new face to Turf Moor albeit just a loan
The club today confirmed the signing of Manchester City defender Ben Mee on a season-long loan. Mee came to prominence after captaining Manchester City to victory in the FA Youth Cup in 2008 before making his first team debut against West Brom in their Carling Cup defeat at the Hawthorns last season. His only appearance in the City first team to date
The 21-year-old is an England Under 21 international and made 15 appearances on loan at Leicester last season after agreeing a season-long loan on New Year’s Day. Indeed Mee held talks with Sven-Goran Eriksson about a second loan deal with the Foxes ahead of the new season. It would appear though that he had second thoughts fearful that his chances of playing first-team football might be limited at Leicester with the club also recently signing centre back pairing Matt Mills from Reading and Sean St Ledger from Preston.
Howe is reported to have been keen to bring in a left-sided centre half and Mee, who can also play at left back would appear to fit the bill. Clarets fans may well remember Mee playing for Leicester against Burnley at the Walkers Stadium last season. It was a terrible mauling for the Clarets and we lost 4-0 with Mee impressing in the centre of defence with his performance also clearly not lost on Eddie Howe.
Talking about his move to Turf Moor, Mee said later in the week:
“Manchester City were willing to let me out again on loan for a season to get some games
“They left it up to me to decide who I wanted to come to.
“There were quite a few teams that contacted them about my availability but I spoke to the manager here and I really liked him.
“I`ve been speaking to him ever since I`ve been back in training, a couple of weeks ago he was on the phone and he was really enthusiastic about me coming here.
“There`s good players here, there`s no doubt about that, and the manager here seems to think that we can do well.
“I believe him and hopefully we can get going this year.
“I`ll fight for my shirt, I`m really willing to do that and I`m excited and raring to go.”
Mee joined up with his new team mates for training for the first time this week and at long last those Clarets fans travelling down to the South West of England for our friendly games against Bristol Rovers and Torquay next week will have at least one new player to watch!
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