KING'S JOB CROWNS RISE THROUGH THE RANKS

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Former young Claret secures key goalkeeping role at Turf Moor

2021-08-10T15:32:00.000Z

KING'S JOB CROWNS RISE THROUGH THE RANKS

Former young Claret secures key goalkeeping role at Turf Moor

2021-08-10T15:32:00.000Z

Former young Claret secures key goalkeeping role at Turf Moor

The Clarets have confirmed the appointment of former youth-team keeper Connor King as the club’s new transition goalkeeper coach.

King has been chosen to fill the role left vacant by Fabian Otte’s departure to Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of last season.

The 22-year-old came through the playing ranks at Turf Moor – winning England youth honours along the way – to earn a professional contract.

Following his release in 2018 after making it as far as Burnley's Under-23 side, King returned to coach in the Clarets’ Academy set-up.

And after re-joining the club on a full-time basis last year, he will now perform a key role in helping the Clarets’ goalkeepers, from Under-15s upwards, hopefully graduate towards the first-team set-up under senior goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer.

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Mercer said: “We were sad to lose Fab, who was a great asset to us in the short time he was with us.

“But Connor was the stand-out candidate to replace him and the fact he knows the club inside out, because he was a schoolboy, a scholar and then a professional here, is fantastic.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t make it beyond that but over the last few years we have had him in with us on a part-time basis and then full-time and what we pride ourselves on here is not just coaching the players, but hopefully coaching the coaches.

“And he could be a coach here for many years to come.

“Along with Gage Walsh we have a really young goalkeeper set-up coaching-wise, apart from me who pushes the average age up.

“I am really excited to have him on board. He's very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable and it will only get better with time.”

As well as aiming to ensure a smooth transition between the age groups, King will work on a daily basis with the Under-23s, spend time with Mercer in the first-team group and also keep tabs on the Clarets’ keepers - including Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Lukas Jensen - who are currently out on loan.

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And the former Chester keeper is delighted to be taking the next step in his career as he follows in the footsteps of Otte and Craig Mawson, who two years ago made the move from Burnley to Manchester United.

“It’s really good for me and I’m delighted," said King.

“I probably saw the light a little bit in the sense of seeing this as a career, or a lot more realistic career for me.

“I knew that if I wanted to develop in this role then playing would have to be knocked on the head.

“That was a difficult decision but so far it's worked out better.

“Not only is the club well known for developing goalkeepers, but Billy is as well.

“So to get the opportunity from him, and to be working closely with him, is hopefully going to be really good.

“It’s been brilliant so far and just to be part of the department really excites me.”