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

algarvefan added 23:08 - Jun 26 Brian Clough once commented that anything in life worth doing was built on solid foundations, what he meant was a solid defence was a prerequisite to a successful team. Our defence was poor last season so lets hope Axel & Burgess leaving will pave the way for better players coming in? I wish Axel well at Burnley, but lets all hang fire and see what the summer brings.

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carljames1978 added 23:18 - Jun 26 Loyalty means nothing these days , we have supported him through thick and thin. Take a leaf out of Dara’s book , remain loyal and take us back up…..
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runningout added 23:25 - Jun 26 some of our fans surprise me in a unpleasant way… we are better than that I hope. Axel has his own views in football and a place he and his family have been for a while. Hope Axel and Burnley do well
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armchaircritic59 added 23:35 - Jun 26 Fairly well expected, it seemed for some time AT was looking to play in a top league somewhere again. Whilst I don't quite share the enthusiasm some on here had for him, there's no doubt when fully fit, he's a decent player. Like many would do, in and out of football, he's done what he thinks is best for him at this time of life, his career and family. I wish him good luck and maybe he and Burnley or one or more of the other promoted clubs, can show that the Premier League isn't fast becoming the Yo Yo paradise many of us fear it is.

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Sensiblue added 23:37 - Jun 26 Liked him as a player, no doubt in his quality and a true physical specimen when fit, but for the hefty wage he was on against the 45 appearances in 2 seasons due to accidents and injuries, I'm happy to wish him well in another tough premier league season....Particularly with his probable involvement in the African nations cup in December and January. Came on a free, left on a free so thanks Axel for the memories and good luck.

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ITFC_1994 added 23:49 - Jun 26 Feel let down by Axel TBH. His injury record not worth the slary he was after mind....in mckenna we trust. Ben johnson easily the best rb in the league at this level, let's bomb on and score a bag full of goals, with greaves, oshea and palmer more then capable of shutting up shot. F this guys. COMMMEEE ON YOU BLUEEEES
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trevski_s added 23:58 - Jun 26 Best of luck Axel, you more than proved you can hang in the Premier League. Still surprised he went to one of the promoted clubs though giving the recent trend of them all coming straight back down again On another note Burnley are getting closer to selling Trafford to Newcastle so will be in the hunt for another keeper. Axel while you're up there put in a good word about Muric

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pointofblue added 00:13 - Jun 27 I think the bit that gets me is "it was a simple decision". Thanks for that, Axel. Sure we'll get some empty platitudes on social media at some point. Bitter, me? Yep. No question.
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Juggsy added 00:15 - Jun 27 Usually follows with a bit of thanks for the previous club who took a chance on him. Guess not.
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Steelmonkey added 00:51 - Jun 27 Best of luck Axel, we gave you a chance and you took it with both hands. I hope your new manager believes in you as much as McKenna did. What I don’t understand is how we manage to let so many players walk out of this club without so much as a brass farthing. Having had time to think about this now I’m not sure he would be up to the riggers of playing a full season in the Championship, but I liked him he got a thumbs up from me.

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poet added 06:02 - Jun 27 I liked Tuanzebe, when fit he was a quality player. He’s gone, for whatever reason is now irrelevant. My one and only concern regarding this issue, is who are we going to get to replace him! In my opinion, there are other areas where this squad needs strengthening, none more obvious than midfield and striker. The revolving exit door has squeaked a few times now, with no sound coming from the entrance door. I fully expect that over the next several weeks things will change, and the entrance door will be making lots of noise very soon. Let’s be honest…. It has to be.

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Saxonblue74 added 06:28 - Jun 27 Far less disappointing than the Burgess departure for me. Clearly didn't want to be here.
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Bluewhiteboy added 06:49 - Jun 27 Dear oh dear the state of some of our fans. He owes us? Like the club gave him some kind of one a kind once in a lifetime opportunity.. he just left one of the worlds biggest clubs and we offered him a year contract. I think by getting us promoted to prem in his first season that more than repays that?? Then looking at it on a personal offer. He has the opportunity to play in a higher league at a location he prefers, yet he gets chastised for it? Reality is its not even more money. Give your heads a wobble

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Linkboy13 added 07:00 - Jun 27 Yessaxonblue74 like Burgess clearly didn't want to be here
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PhuketPete added 07:08 - Jun 27 @bluedocker. I wish BW was coming back. If his head is together he can easily get fit again and be a top EPL player above Ben and Harry standards. But I doubt we’ll see him here again in B&W - same with Flynn who is also like to see back
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Rimsy added 07:24 - Jun 27 Good luck to him. But let's face our defence was crap last season, too much chopping and changing, mainly through injuries. We need to pick our back 4 and stick with it so they can build an understanding. Could never do that with Axel because of the injuries.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:32 - Jun 27 The lack of appreciation in his statement “ it was an easy decision “ would have been nice for him to thanked the club! Years ago Jason Cundy was out injured, the official statement at the time was a wound wasn’t cleansed properly before stitched together and infection had set in. Sometime later it emerged his omission was because of testicular cancer. I find it strange the Tuanzebe household didn’t have a dishwasher, maybe in the future we will know more. But one thing I do know I cut my hand at work and I struggled to get my money. Bet he got paid in full, town looked after him very well. I don’t buy this it’s a short career, most players ( top level) will earn more in 2 years than I will in a lifetime doing something they love doing! A bit of loyalty wouldn’t go a miss. Top marks to Dara, got a feeling he will go down as town legend He’s heading for another relegation season! And we move on!

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tractorboybig added 07:35 - Jun 27 highly overrated sick note, no loss
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