Birthplace: Sheffield

International Honours: England U21

Burnley strengthened their goalkeeping union with the capture of Nicky Weaver.

The 30 year-old former Manchester City and England U21 keeper joined the Clarets until the end of the season in January 2009.

The Sheffield born stopper started his career with Mansfield Town, coming through the youth set-up, before signing for Manchester City in April 1997.

And it was at Maine Road where Weaver really made his name, breaking the club record for clean sheets in the 1998/99 season with a total of 26 shut-outs, before he was the hero in the 1999 Second Division Play-Off Final against Gillingham after his penalty save clinched promotion.

The England under-21 international suffered a setback in 1999 with a career-threatening knee injury meaning he did not start any games for three seasons.

In autumn 2005, Weaver went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, the club he had supported since childhood, hoping to get back to full fitness.

He made 14 appearances at Hillsborough, where he was coached by Billy Mercer, Burnley's new goalkeeping coach.

In August 2006 an injury to first-choice City keeper Andreas Isaksson, meant Weaver played the first game of the season, his first senior start for the club in nearly three years and the keeper's improved form led to him starting all but one of Manchester City's game for the duration of the year.

After a decade at City, where he made over 200 appearances, Weaver signed for Charlton in summer 2007 on a three-year deal where he was a regular between the sticks.

Following his release from Charlton after the Addicks were relegated to League One, Weaver signed for Dundee United in summer 2009 on a short-team deal, playing in every league game before his contract expired in early January.