A thrilled Eddie Howe announced this week that Man City defender Kieran Trippier has signed a permanent deal with Burnley FC valid until at least summer 2015.

The deal was signed and sealed on Monday morning for an undisclosed sum of money, and means that Trippier will be keeping his talents with the Clarets for another three-and-a-half-years minimum. This will surely make Clarets fans very happy, as the 21-year-old defender has been one of the teams brightest stars since he arrived from Manchester City on a one-season loan last summer.

Speaking to the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, Eddie Howe said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Kieran on board. He has been a really huge part of our team, how we have played this year and how we want to go forward.”

“He has just got better and better and I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person and as a footballer. We are extremely grateful to Manchester City for trusting us and allowing Kieran to come here in the first place.”

Howe admitted that in the majority of the occasions when loan players were taken, it was with the aim of acquiring them on a permanent basis, and on this occasion, the big question was whether Man City were prepared to see Trippier leave them – luckily, they were agreeable.

He went on: “The fact Kieran wants to come here on a long term deal means it’s a two-way thing.

“We are equally delighted that he wants to be here and pledge his long-term future to us. That speaks very highly of what we are trying to do and how others see us.”

“It’s positive news on a lot of fronts and another part of the jigsaw and I am sure everyone connected with the club will be delighted at the news.”

Daniel Coysh