Manchester City defender Finley Burns has agreed to join Stevenage on loan, reports Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider.
The League One newcomers are said to have beaten off interest across the EFL for the 20-year-old, who spent the second half of the 2021/22 season at Championship side Swansea City.
Making just three appearances, the 6ft 5″ centre-back struggled to break through at the Swansea.com Stadium. Despite this fact, there was renewed interest in his services in January, as Watford, Bristol City and Coventry City were among the clubs vying for the England U20 international.
Ultimately, he would remain at the Etihad Stadium, where his contract runs until 2027.
Joining from Southend in 2017, Burns has progressed through the ranks in Manchester, featuring 17 times as their youth side won the Premier League 2 last season.
He also made his senior debut in the League Cup last term in City’s 6-1 romp over League One side Wycombe Wanderers.
Pep Guardiola has shown faith in youth throughout his tenure, with academy graduates Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer regularly featuring in his treble-winning side.
However, the Spaniard has decided that the talented prospect’s first proper experience of senior football should be at Steve Evans’ Stevenage.
Having just been promoted to the third tier, Boro have been busy in the market as they look to establish themselves in League One, with the Southwark-born man set to be the next through the door at the Lamex Stadium.
Writer’s View
Burns is a young footballer with a high ceiling, as shown by the Citizens’ commitment to tie the defender down until 2027. Having racked up experience in the UEFA Youth League and domestic youth competitions, it is imperative for him to get an opportunity in senior football.
Evans continues to add a wealth of quality alongside some experienced names in Hertfordshire, and the 20-year-old could prove to be a shrewd addition as Boro aims to stave off an immediate return to the fourth tier.
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