WESTLEY PENS FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT

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Young forward cements future at Club

2023-01-26T13:57:22.045Z

WESTLEY PENS FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT

Young forward cements future at Club

2023-01-26T13:57:22.045Z

Young forward cements future at Club

Burnley Football Club are delighted to announce that striker Joe Westley has signing his first professional contract with the Club.

The 18-year-old has penned a two and a half year deal with the Clarets, running until the summer of 2025.

Westley joined the Club back in August 2021, signing a two-year scholarship, having departed Fulham a few weeks earlier.

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Overcoming injury issues, he played a key part for Tony Philliskirk’s youth team towards the end of the 2021/22 season, netting a brace on the final day away at Derby County.

And elected the youth team captain this term, Westley has so far netted 20 goals in 21 competitive appearances, including two goals at U21 level and one in the FA Youth Cup against Norwich City.

Having put pen to paper on his first professional deal, Westley said: “I’m really happy. When I came here, the goal was to get that professional contract as soon as possible.

“Now I’ve done that, it’s just onto progressing as far as I can at this Club. It’s been a good season for me so far, and I’m happy with where I’m at now but you can’t just stand still in football.

“You’ve got to keep getting better and while I’m happy to sign the contract, it’s all about the next goals for me now and the next steps to get to those goals. I’ll try to continue improving the way I have been doing.

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“For now, I just want to keep scoring goals. I want to progress as quickly as I can and eventually try to get some games up with the first team. There’s a long way to go before that though, so for now score the goals consistently and see where it takes me.”

U18s boss Philliskirk, who himself was a striker during his own career and played for the Clarets, added: “As a manager, it’s always really pleasing to see one of your players get rewarded for all their hard work, this is no different.

“Joe is deserving of this contract and has worked incredibly hard, especially over the last 12 months or so, to get back on the pitch and get firing.

“He’s a great role model for the younger lads in the U18 group, and a good captain too. There’s more hard work to come from him, and I’m looking forward to seeing just how far he can go at this Club.”