BARNES 'THIS IS MY HOME'

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Striker discusses move back to Turf Moor

2025-01-04T09:00:00.000Z

BARNES 'THIS IS MY HOME'

Striker discusses move back to Turf Moor

2025-01-04T09:00:00.000Z

Striker discusses move back to Turf Moor

Ashley Barnes confessed that returning to Burnley was an 'easy' decision and described the Club as his home, after penning a deal until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The striker spent the last season-and-a-half with Norwich City, but will now wear Burnley's number 35 shirt as part of Scott Parker's squad for the remainder of the season and the forward is more than delighted to be back in Lancashire.

Speaking to Clarets+, Barnes smiled: “It was easy as soon as I knew Burnley were involved. This is my home. It means so much to me and my family. I’ve such a good rapport with the fans and the people here at the club. Hopefully we can go on to create something special this season.”

The experienced attacker spent nine-and-a-half seasons at Turf Moor prior to leaving in the summer of 2023 and loved his return to the training ground.

“It’s surreal to be fair, it felt like I’ve never been away. Just driving through Padiham and coming into the valley, I couldn’t believe it was actually happening! It felt like maybe I was just visiting for a day or something! To see everyone’s faces was amazing. It made me feel so welcome.”

Barnes returned to Gawthorpe Hall on Friday for his first training session since re-signing for the Clarets and there were a few pleasantly surprised faces in the dressing room.

“They didn’t know! I couldn’t tell them. Everything was so quick, out of the blue. They couldn't believe it and kept saying why didn’t you tell us!

“Training was amazing. The smile on my face, the joy to be training. What a feeling! There’s a lot of new faces over there which is nice. Nice to get to know them as people too. I can be someone they can talk to or put an arm round their shoulder if they need that.”

The striker could make his second debut for the Club on Saturday against Blackburn, after making his first debut back in 2014 and he admitted he would 'love' to be apart of the squad at Ewood Park.

“Yes! Some very good memories. Amazing memories against them. The last two times out were very special. I cannot wait. I just hope I’m on the coach. I’d love to be involved and be part of the squad.”

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE!