Burnley have confirmed the free signing of Town defender Axel Tuanzebe.

News that the 27-year-old was undergoing a medical with the Clarets, who were promoted back to the Premier League in 2024/25, broke this afternoon, the DR Congo international having turned down a lucrative contract with Town, his current terms coming to an end on Monday.

“I’m delighted to be here,” he told the Burnley official website. “It became a very simple decision after speaking to the manager [Scott Parker] and the message was very clear, precise and straight to the point.

“It’s a new chapter for me, back in the vicinity of Manchester and home and I’m ready to continue my journey now at Burnley.”

Tuanzebe has been a key player for the Blues over the past two seasons and his exit is a blow, particularly with fellow free agent defender Cameron Burgess having moved on to Swansea City earlier this month.

Bunia-born Tuanzebe made 40 starts and five sub appearances for Town, scoring one goal, having signed on a free transfer after leaving Old Trafford in the summer of 2023.

Town issued a statement ahead of Burnley announcing the signing: “The club can confirm Axel Tuanzebe will depart at the end of his contract this summer. 

“The defender had been in discussions regarding a new deal but has now opted to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. 

“Axel made a total of 45 appearances during his two seasons at Portman Road, scoring once, and was part of the Town side which won promotion to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season. He departs with the club’s best wishes for the future.” 

Photo: Matchday Images

Marcus added 21:16 - Jun 26 I guess he wants another relegation struggle in a more familiar part of the world. Good luck. Hope he can break the promotion/relegation default
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Blue_Heath added 21:19 - Jun 26 Give him 10 games before he's injured. Note to Burnley's finance team buy him a dishwasher.
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cartman1972 added 21:20 - Jun 26 We'll pass him by at the end of next season and he'll be stuck on a contract this time . Can't say I'm overly bothered with this , poor venturing forward, injury prone and on a high salary.
2

bluelad7 added 21:27 - Jun 26 After all KMcK and all did. Hope he feels bad but doubt it.
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barrystedmunds added 21:28 - Jun 26 “Back in the vicinity of Manchester and home” Can’t be too hard on the lad for putting his family first although I believe he owes us and KMcK in particular a debt of gratitude for how we salvaged his faltering career. In anticipation of event, I wish him well.
11

barrystedmunds added 21:29 - Jun 26 In any event!!!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 21:36 - Jun 26 OK. Bye
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Portman_Pie added 21:44 - Jun 26 Burnley have only given him a 1 year contract. Enjoy your relegation, and then fleece the next club in 12 months time
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Leutard added 21:46 - Jun 26 Burgess and Tuanzebe leaving on frees seems a little silly to me, does there need to be a rethink re contract lengths, or is this just modern football?
1

michaeldownunder added 21:56 - Jun 26 How do you make a player sign a new contract ?, they can just run it down. I can remember in Sir Bobbys time him telling Hamilton we have just sold you and the player having no say in it.
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planetblue_2011 added 21:58 - Jun 26 Not too disappointed injury prone anyway & a big earner. We have Clarke & Johnson to fill the void. bye from me Axel
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ArnieM added 21:59 - Jun 26 Starting to feel very betrayed and pissed off with modern day professional footballers. They dont give a sh 1t about the club they play for, only their bloody bank balance. Omari will no doubt be the next one. Feck em all. The ONLY true loyal ones in the game is the fan in the stands.
5

Countryboyblue added 22:00 - Jun 26 I really liked Axel, a nice fella and a great player particularly at Championship level. I do feel however we will make a more the adequate replacement, and hopefully with a lot less injuries. In meantime, all the very best Axel and good luck at Burnley.
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barrystedmunds added 22:01 - Jun 26 1 year contract seems a little odd? Maybe Burnley have concerns about his injury history and weren't prepared to offer more!
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Lightningboy added 22:01 - Jun 26 Won't be missed...hardly in the Fabian Wilnis class of decent right backs we've had over the years. Whether anyone thinks he's good enough or not i'd rather somebody who bleeds blue like Harry Clarke playing for us than someone who's just interested in the money.
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bluebullet29l added 22:07 - Jun 26 Judas.....jog on mate...will spend most of the season on the treatment table anyway...good riddance. We can't carry passengers anymore
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bringbacktheglory added 22:15 - Jun 26 A lot of sour grapes in the comments. He’s been offered a better salary, playing in the biggest league in the world, he’s proven he can play at that level, of course he is going to take it! If it wasn’t for his injury record, we would never have been able to sign him anyway. He’s been our one of our best defenders whenever he’s played. He’s a class act who deserves another shot at the prem.

7

benslifeyt added 22:22 - Jun 26 Thanks axel . Been quality when fit . No hard feelings from me . Don’t understand why some town fans on here get toxic for him leaving to be closer to home. He gets to play in a higher league and probably on more money than what a championship club can offer . For this year Yes they may well come down next year but he’s a free agent and allowed to speak to other clubs so not as if he’s forced a move ….. it’s just football Thanks and let’s move on

1

ringwoodblue added 22:32 - Jun 26 I was more gutted about Burgess going but losing Axel as well is a big blow to our defence. Best of luck to him.
1

ArnieM added 22:33 - Jun 26 THIS club put him back together and gave him a contract ( highest paid player at the club dont forget) when no other club offered him a deal, AND rehabed him through yet more injuries whilst paying his wages..... I'd say he owed thus club a little bit if loyalty and a bit of pay back this coming season, don't you? Its not bitterness or sorry grapes it's disappointment that the player has displayed NO loyalty to the club thst put his career back together. There's too much money and bloody greed amongst players these days. And that's a fact.

1

benslifeyt added 22:40 - Jun 26 ArnieM They wouldn’t pay a player wages out of sentimental value. they would get them off books as soon as . So why would a player show loyalty as well Football isn’t like the old days anymore it’s a fast paced environment
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bringbacktheglory added 22:41 - Jun 26 He paid us back with his performances on the pitch, winning us promotion to the premier league, not much more he could do…? He deserves another shot at the level he clearly belongs at. If I was offered a job for more money, closer to my family and an opportunity to be learning from the best/competing against the best, I wouldn’t turn it down, regardless of what my employer had done for me.

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BlueNomad added 22:53 - Jun 26 So ArnieM, lightningboy et al, can we assume you never have, and never will, change employer even if it is better for you and your family? Axel was great and I wish him well. Just remember - he’s not a fan in the SBR, he was an employee.
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Bluedocker added 22:55 - Jun 26 No problem Brandon Williams is coming back... He's brought one of the new builds at felixstowe golf course...
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Town1Inter0 added 23:07 - Jun 26 1 year contract allows him to come back to us for the 26/27 season on a free.
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