Stevenage FC manager Steve Evans has expressed his delight at signing Finley Burns from Manchester City.
The defender completed a season-long loan to the League One side on Monday.
Burns will be looking to get regular game time, in what is the second loan spell of his career to date.
Burns has been with City since the age of 13, when he signed from Southend United.
City paid £175,000 to sign Burns, which has risen to £250,000 over time. That initial fee was though to be a record at the time for a player of that age (Independent).
The starlet has progressed through the academy, and won the FA Youth Cup in 2020. He was also a part of the club’s U18 Premier League North title-winning squad that same season.
He spent half a season on loan at Swansea City in 2022.
And last term, he was a part of the EDS squad that won a third successive PL2 title.
Steve Evans buzzing to land Finley Burns, says Pep Guardiola rates him very highly
Today, Stevenage manager Steve Evans has been speaking about Burns.
He is very excited about working with the youngster, and has spoken to Pep Guardiola about him.
Revealing what he said, Evans told the official Stevenage website: “Finley is a young man who I know is very highly thought of by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City”, said the Gaffer.
“I know Pep well and when he gives you a first team debut and has you training with his first-team every day, he recognises the huge potential you have.
“Pep has sent to us on loan to further Finley’s football education.”
Good luck Finley Burns
So Burns will now embark on his first full-season loan spell.
And this is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do.
He didn’t feature very much for Swansea, but he will be expecting to play a big part for League One Stevenage.
City describe him on their website as a ‘tall, imposing and mature defender’ and these traits should stand him in good stead for League One football.
City’s academy is absolutely thriving at the moment.
So if this move goes well then it could be another good sale for the club next year.
Or who knows, perhaps Burns could even become an option for Guardiola back at the Etihad.
