Cork's A Stopper For Longer

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Midfielder signs new contract to extend Turf Moor stay

2020-12-18T15:05:52.369Z

Cork's A Stopper For Longer

Midfielder signs new contract to extend Turf Moor stay

2020-12-18T15:05:52.369Z

Midfielder signs new contract to extend Turf Moor stay

The Clarets have secured the services of another key member of Sean Dyche’s squad with long-serving midfielder Jack Cork signing a new contract at Turf Moor.

Cork, whose current contract was due to expire at the end of this season, has agreed a deal until June, 2022 with the option of a further 12 months.

It means the 31-year-old will add to outstanding service for the Clarets spread over two different spells, initially as a loan signing from Chelsea for a two-season stay from 2009/10 before becoming a permanent member of the playing staff after signing from Swansea City in July, 2017.

Cork has since made over 100 Premier League appearances for Burnley - as well scoring a winning goal in Europe as the Clarets' stand-in skipper - and is closing in on a return to action following almost six months out as a result of a fractured foot, the longest injury absence of his career.

“It’s been a tough sort of six months with the injury. But I feel like I’m just one or two weeks away from being back fully fit so I’m happy to have extended my stay,” said Cork, who won an England cap as a Burnley player during the 2017/18 season when he also played every minute of the Premier League season in which the Clarets qualified for Europe.

“It’s nice to get it done and I’m looking forward to playing games now.

“I’m looking forward to coming back and proving I’m at the same level I was before my injury.”

Across his two spells at Turf Moor, Cork has played 175 games for the club, with his 116 Premier League appearances placing him fifth on the Clarets’ all-time list for the competition.

“If I stay the year, plus the option, it would take me to eight years at the club, which is a big achievement,” he added.

“We’ve finished seventh and tenth in the Premier League and played in Europe and it’s been a great few years.

“Hopefully now I can have another good year after this and now I’m 31, with my experience, help with some of the younger lads who are coming through at the club.

“This will be my 10th year in a row in the Premier League and I can add good experience to the group that we need at times.

“I’m looking forward to getting back playing Premier League football.”

Cork, who also played in the top tier with Swansea and Southampton and represented Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics, has signed his new contract in the same week that midfielder Josh Benson, 21, agreed a new long-term deal at Turf Moor.

And Cork follows senior team-mates Ben Mee, Ashley Westwood, Jay Rodriguez and Matej Vydra in extending their stays with Burnley since the end of last season.