Manchester City confirm their 16th departure of the summer, with an academy graduate completing a season-long loan move to a Championship club.
Manchester City defender Finley Burns has joined Championship club Hull City on loan for the 2024-25 season.
After moving to the Citizens from Southend United as a 13-year-old, Burns signed his first professional contract in July 2020, going on to help the club’s Elite Development Squad secure the Premier League 2 title that season.
Burns then made his senior debut for Man City in a thumping 6-1 EFL Cup home win over Wycombe Wanderers in September 2021, but has not played for Pep Guardiola‘s side since and has been sent out on loan twice.
The 21-year-old joined Championship side Swansea City on loan for the second half of the 2022-23 season before impressing on loan at League One outfit Stevenage last season, featuring 43 times across all competitions.
Burns now makes the step back up to the second tier with Hull City and has revealed that he spoke to former Man City academy teammate Liam Delap – who was on loan at the Tigers last season – before finalising his move to the MKM Stadium.
“Up the Tigers!” 🤳#hcafc pic.twitter.com/Gd0p6boSMZ
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 9, 2024
Burns confirms Delap talks before joining Hull
Speaking to Hull’s official website, Burns said: “I can’t wait. I spoke to the manager and we discussed what he wanted from me. It sounded great in what I can learn from him, not only footballing-wise but my understanding of the tactical side.
“I’ve learned a lot from when I was at Swansea and going away to League One and hopefully I can show that this season.
“Stevenage was different to what I was used to and probably what I needed. I played a different position, which helped me grow as a player. Understanding different roles is important.
“I’m versatile. Last year, I started as a centre-back and moved into midfield. I’ll do what’s asked of me and try to help the team.
“I spoke to Liam Delap, asked him a few questions about the club and he only had good things to say, which helped me make a decision on what I wanted to do, along with speaking to the manager
“Tim’s style is different but it’s something I’m really excited to learn. I can’t wait to see all the fans on Saturday and have a good go this season.”
© Imago
Man City have seen 16 players depart so far this summer
Burns has become the 16th player across Man City’s senior and academy teams to leave the club either on loan or permanently so far this summer.
Just a few hours before confirmations of Burns’s move to Hull, Man City announced that academy graduate Micah Hamilton has joined Middlesbrough on a permanent deal.
Delap, who has moved to Ipswich Town for an initial £15m, has also departed permanently along with Alex Robertson (Cardiff City), Lewis Fiorini (Stockport County), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Tommy Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dario Sarmiento (Tigre) and Sergio Gomez (Real Sociedad).
Right-back Yan Couto has moved to Borussia Dortmund on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for around £25m, while Callum Doyle (Norwich City), Mahamadou Susoho (Peterborough United), Tomas Galvez (LASK Linz) and True Grant (Buxton) have all departed temporarily.
Meanwhile, two youngsters in Jamal Baptiste – who only joined the club last summer – and Josh Adam have both left the Citizens after seeing their contracts expire.
Man City could soon announce another exit, and potentially their biggest of all time, as Guardiola has confirmed that Julian Alvarez is set to join Atletico Madrid for a reported €95m (£81.5m).