On Monday, Michael Keane ended a wonderful three year spell at Burnley by completing a transfer to Everton, which could eventually net the Clarets up to £30m for the England international.
Keane, a £2m signing from Manchester United – who will gain 25% of the transfer fee, completed his switch to Goodison Park joining Everton for a potential club record transfer fee. Well, in fact one to match a deal they paid to Sunderland for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
A five year deal at Everton has been signed by Keane, Burnley’s Player of the Year last season in a campaign that saw him help us to retain our Premier League status and win his maiden England cap.
It might have been viewed as an easy decision for both parties to make but Burnley didn’t have to accept the offer of course. However, if this wasn’t the case the chances are he would have left on a free transfer next summer.
But Keane insists he leaves the Clarets with a heavy heart having made the tough decision to depart after enjoying the ‘best three years’ of his life at Turf Moor.
He told the Official Website: ‘Firstly, what a tough decision it has been to leave this amazing football club. I can honestly say I have had the best three years of my life here, on and off the pitch! I have had a lot of special moments while playing for you, notably my two goals against Brighton and Middlesbrough in the Championship winning season.’
Adding: ‘Of course, we created history as a team last season by staying in the Premier League and by playing regularly it helped my dream come true of playing for England.’
Keane admitted without the help of boss Sean Dyche – who convinced him to join Burnley, a decision he admits will go down as the best decisions he’ll ever make – and his immediate coaching staff and senior figures at the club he wouldn’t have been the player he’s become.
‘I will never be grateful enough for the work Sean Dyche, Ian Woan, Tony Loughlan and Billy Mercer have done with me on a daily basis to get me to this point in my career. The gaffer showed a lot of faith in me three years ago, when it could have been easy for me to stay at United and look for an opportunity there. He convinced me to come to Burnley and develop under his guidance and I put that down as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, so thanks gaffer!’
He went on to offer praise and thanks to everyone else involved in the backroom staff along with his teammates making some ‘friends for life’ that he will now ‘miss seeing them every day.’
On the fans and in conclusion Keane said: ‘Finally, the fans. You have been amazing with me and the team since day one through low times and the many successful times we have had together. That support is what drives the team on and there are many games where we feel you helped push us over the line. Even when we were struggling away from home last season you continued to travel to every game and sing your hearts out for us and we thankfully rewarded you with a win at Palace! Burnley Football Club will always have a special place in my heart and I wish you all the best for the upcoming season. I can’t wait to play at Turf Moor again in March! Thanks for everything! UTC! ‘Keano’.’
Keane wasn’t the only one sealing a move to a new club on Monday as George Boyd also completed his free transfer to Sheffield Wednesday – joining the Championship club on a two year deal after turning down a new one year deal.
Many thanks Keano for what you have done for the Clarets. Also lovely to read your comments re the club and the fans, increasingly rare from the prima donna footballers of the Prem. UTC.