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Vital Burnley brings you an update on some snippets of Clarets news that you may have missed this month.

New Norwegian Midfielder Sings In

Burnley last week signed 22-year-old Norway midfielder Fredrik Ulvestad on a three-year contract after a successful trial at Turf Moor. Being a free-agent he cost the club nothing in transfer fees.

Talking about his new signing, gaffer Sean Dyche said:

“Fredrik is someone who came into the club to spend some time with us earlier this year.

“We liked what we saw and he has gained some good experience playing in the league in Norway.

“It`s a new challenge for him now, not only on the pitch but off it too in terms of culture.

“He has gained a full international cap and is learning and gaining experience all the time. We will be looking for him to continue his development and improve further as a midfielder.

“There will be an adjustment period, for sure, because of the change in the levels of football.

“We know how tough the Premier League is, so he will be given time to adjust to that accordingly and continue his development.”

It is clear that the player will not make an immediate impact in the first team and has been signed for the future. He was not considered for the home game against Manchester City on Saturday and could take some time before he makes the eighteen. Nevertheless we do now have further options in midfield after losing Dean Marney for the rest of the season following his cruciate ligament injury. With no other options other than untried youngsters in midfield at this level, Scott Arfield has been filling in the centre midfield role alongside David Jones.

Ulvestad started his career in the youth team of SK Herd before signing for hometown club Aalesunds FK in 2008. He went onto make in total 132 appearances for Aalesund in all competitions scoring 20 goals before deciding not to renew his contract at the end of the 2014 season. Following his release he became a free-agent and therefore available outside of the transfer windows. The Norwegian international attracted interest from German Bundesliga side, Hannover 96 but in February 2015 he joined Burnley on trial a move which in the end proved to be successful leading to a contract.

Stalwart Michael Duff Earns Testimonial

Last Saturday at home to Manchester City, Michael Duff made his first start in the league since the game away to Stoke City last November. He did pick up an injury but after recovering struggled to dislodge Michael Keane who came into the team to replace him and impressed over recent months. Duff at 37 is now our most senior and experienced player and the only one left from the squad that was last in the top flight back in 2009-10. He was a bargain buy by Steve Cotterill who brought him to Turf Moor from the club he formally managed, Cheltenham Town back in July 2004 for the princely sum of just £30,000! He signed a new one year deal in July 2014 which meant that the Northern Ireland international would now be in his 11th season with the club. Duff is out of contract in the summer but last month said he wanted to carry on playing for as long as he could

His appearance on Saturday against City was his 350th for the club so it is richly deserved that earlier that week it was announced that he would now be entitled to a testimonial.

Duff will now host a series of events to commemorate his long service including a special Q&A evening at the club, alongside fan favourites from his long reign, a black tie dinner, a golf day at The Belfry and Formula 1 day. He will then feature in a testimonial game at Turf Moor, currently scheduled for August 1 against yet-to-be announced opposition.

Talking about the good news Duff said:

“After moving to Burnley in 2004 I have had amazing support from the fans, the board of directors and staff,

“The fact I have gone on to spend 11 years at the club speaks for itself. I have such warm memories, made some great friends and created memories that I am extremely proud of.

“The club is unique to most as it is such a family-orientated club. From the board down, we are all a part of this great club and it`s been an honour to play here for so long.

“Something that stands out has been to be a part of two promotions to the Premier League and I want to say a special thank you to Burnley Football Club for granting me a testimonial and allowing me to celebrate with the fans.”

Rumour Mill Still Turning!

Burnley along with MK Dons are reportedly showing interest in Worcester City midfielder Sean Geddes .It would appear he was watched by a Clarets scout on Saturday in the Conference North clash between Solihull Moors and Worcester. The 23-year-old has a reputation of scoring from free-kicks and indeed two on Saturday lead to two of Worcester`s goal as they thumped the hosts 4-1 to keep their play-offs hopes alive. Geddes a former Manchester United trainee saw his 30-yard free-kick rebound off the post and the Solihull keeper’s back to equalise in the second half. He later thumped a 20-yard set-piece past the flapping keeper to put the visitors 2-1 up.

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Vital BFC Editor