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, who it’s understood has signed a one-year deal at Turf Moor, 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

Lightningboy added 09:32 - Jun 27 Most them are mercenaries these days,they'll just go to whoever wafts the biggest wad of cash under their noses...one minute he's heading to Turkey,the next sunny Burnley..laughable. For those saying it's to look after his family,he'll earn more money this season than most people will see in their entire working lives.
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Paulc added 09:49 - Jun 27 All this talk of lack of loyalty is laughable! What is loyalty? Yes we gave Axel a chance when others had turned their backs and when fit did a great job for us. He fulfilled his contract. No one and i do mean NO ONE on here knows the facts behind; 1. what his contract offer was 2. what he was offered elsewhere 3. non footballing factors that play a part in his decision process. As an out of contract player he has every right to do what he thinks is right for him in the same way that the club has every right to only offer what they feel is right for the club. Too many people on here think they know all the facts (you know who you are) when you're just guessing, Fact: Players come and go Fact: Some players we have/will sign will be great for us this season Fact: Some will disappoint This is not new news.

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1960H added 09:52 - Jun 27 A good player but for me too injury prone and always likely to put in a rash tackle which leads to bookings and getting sent off
1

Stewarts_Number1 added 10:03 - Jun 27 Can't believe the total lack of loyalty shown by this player, Ipswich stood by him through his injuries at the beginning of his career with us and his previous experience with McKenna, obviously counts for nothing. Don't know what we offered, but 'Lucrative' would suggest a few years and good payments. Hope you enjoy your 1 year contract.
1

OliveR16 added 10:26 - Jun 27 I'd rather live in Suffolk and lose him than move to Manchester to keep him. Poor guy.
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Dissboyitfc added 10:32 - Jun 27 Axel and Burge were obviously offered better deals elsewhere than WE offered them to stay - the outcome being we lose two Premiership Quality Defenders for NOTHING in return. So Blueboy who was offered what?? Why have Burnley only given him a one year deal, I would guess we offered longer? Anyway I await the answers as you clearly know more than anyone else!!!
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blueboy1981 added 11:22 - Jun 27 Dissboyitfc _ stop being pathetic, the fact they have MOVED prove they were offered better deals. Otherwise they wouldn’t have would they ?? Take you Blue Tints off for once - and face facts and reality- two Quality Defenders GONE for NOWT - only an ignoramus could deny that FACT !! It is what it is, and Blue Tints won’t change it !!
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Tractorog added 11:26 - Jun 27 Remember we once employed Chopra? Axel was a good player and we will find it hard but not impossible to replace him, but the club, these days, is in a better place and together we will move on. I wonder how some of the people on these forums cope with life sometimes.
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Carberry added 11:28 - Jun 27 So now we need a new defence as well as midfield. Let's not get over romantic about Harry Clarke filling the role, we need to sign players who can take us to the next level and keep us there.
1

BlueMoolay added 11:32 - Jun 27 Feck Sake....get a grip some of you. Players will come....Players will go. They don't think "Oh i must stay here because of the fans". Get real FFS. This is how it is and will always be. Get behind the team on match days or do one.
4

runningout added 11:50 - Jun 27 Spot on Bluemoolay we have a few amongst that need to wake up and stop wetting the bed
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Tommyc added 11:59 - Jun 27 Decent player who is a loss, but not a catastrophic one. Looks like as we pass Burnley each season, we pay money for their players, but they get ours for nothing on the way back! With PSR we might lose another couple yet, with hopefully a couple of cheaper/less wages players coming in (CM & CF)
1

Blueharvey added 12:38 - Jun 27 Good bye. Thinks he a premier league player he’s not. Go and help another team get relegated.
0

Ebantiass added 13:19 - Jun 27 Geeze some of us seem pretty bitter. Good luck Axel hope your family will be happier moving closer to the family. I hope he can stay injury free and have a good season, but i think its in the cards they will go down again. The gaffa really helped him out getting him slowly back to fitness and playing fairly regulary again. All the best at burnley.
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Taricco_Fan added 13:43 - Jun 27 He's just doing the best thing for himself and his family in what is a short career that can come to an end at any time. Obviously wants to play at the top level and earn as much as he can. Wouldn't we all? People forget that loyalty works both ways - clubs will quickly ditch a player when surplus to requirements. Don't get attached to these players, they're just passing through. Thanks Axel, good luck and all the best.

1

Reuser2000 added 14:29 - Jun 27 All this bitterness from people saying he's not loyal blah blah. He's got the chance to play in the premier league again, he's closer to home in Manchester at Burnley and will be on a higher wage now doubt. It's a bit of a no brainer and I'm sure anyone would do the same thing....... Wish Brandon Williams would sorry himself out and come back here, so much potential that kid had

1

johnwarksshorts added 14:40 - Jun 27 Any message if appreciation from him yet? McK resurrected his career.
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johnwarksshorts added 14:42 - Jun 27 Of**
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Bazza8564 added 14:50 - Jun 27 Id heard his Mrs had moved back north just as he had his "mysterious" washing up injury. He was never staying here, its not about the cash. And Burgess was offered a 3 year deal at Swansea, I believed we offered 1+1 option initially with the 2nd year at our choice. He is guaranteed first team football there, he would have been behind greaves here. It's WC season and being on the bench it's hardly surprising he left, plus he's almost 30 now and we have money to buy better , end of. Now before everybody gets their "Alans" in a twist about Tuenzebe again, heres a fact. Town have played 95 games over the last two season, Axel has started 40 and another 5 off the bench. So he's only been fit enough or good enough to start 42.1% of those games. Given we are probably going to lose Omari for £35m, loan in a striker for a season with an obligation for payment in a years time, and got £30m for Liam, two midfielders and a bit of defensive cover at LCB (assuming baggott isnt that) I really don't think we should be worried about it. We've lost a 30 year old and an unfit guy who doesnt want to be here, feels to me that we have two openings in the squad we can fill with the rather decent money we have to spend?? Even if we spent £45 on a couple of midfielders thats still £20m over, and thats probably all we need!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:11 - Jun 27 Bazza, I see your point. I think we'll likely lose Cajuste and Omari at least, and yes, we have the Delap money and will get more for Omari. But of course the problem is, even with the extras money, finding suitable replacements in competition with everyone else.
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Bazza8564 added 18:58 - Jun 27 Steve, Cajuste wants to stay, it's all about the fee. But in terms of the competition, Im not sure I would quite agree. I think we are in quite a unique market. the newly promoted PL teams want instant impact PL players and loans, we saw last year Mark and the recruitment team are buying at Championship level with huge potential. I just done see other Championship clubs having the money we do and looking predominantly for talent that will develop, rather than being instant. Wrexham and Birmingham have money, but PSR rules will limit them because they haven't sold anyone. With £65m in the pot, we will have a unique position in the market for players that bigger clubs aren't looking for, and championship clubs can't afford. We will see movement once the PSR year ends on July 1

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Dissboyitfc added 08:38 - Jun 28 Still no figures blueboy, you quote opinions as facts but as always you don’t have any! Priceless and pathetic! Sometimes people want change and with a World Cup coming up Burgess I expect is likely to be a first choice for his new club, Tuanzebe appears to want out and accepted a one year deal , how long a deal did town offer? Truth is you don’t know what either player was offered, but don’t let facts alter your thoughts.

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