Reading FC have announced the signing of 22-year-old defender Finley Burns on a season-long loan from Manchester City, as per the club’s official website.
Burns provides a much-needed addition to the Royals’ central defensive ranks as they have lost both Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue in recent months.
Reading Chief Executive Officer Joe Jacobson said the following about Burns:
“Finley signing on loan is a real coup for the Football Club, we’re delighted to have secured his signature against stiff competition.
We’d like to thank Manchester City for trusting us and our Coaching Team to develop and improve their player, and hopefully this will be the start of a fruitful relationship between the clubs.”
Royals manager Noel Hunt said:
“We’re delighted to bring Finley to the club, he has all round quality and a couple of really good loans over the last couple of years.”
Struggled In The Championship, Thrived In League One
The giant defender, who can also play in central midfield, has had contrasting experiences in his three previous loan spells.
After starring for City’s youth team, the centre-back moved to the Championship with Swansea City for his first spell in senior football. Burns made just three appearances for the Swans after joining the Welsh giants in January 2022.
He then spent the entirety of the 2022/23 season in youth football before joining Stevenage on loan in the summer of 2023.
The former England youth international had an excellent season with the Boro in League One. Burns played 37 league games, in addition to six cup games, as he was a regular for Steve Evans’ side, who almost finished in the playoffs in their first season back in the third tier.
His stats in duels were nothing short of excellent, winning 64.5% of his ground duels and 69.4% of his aerial duels whilst also making more interceptions than 96.6% of League One centre-backs.
Burns’ impressive performances saw him earn a loan move back to the Championship with Hull City, but he once again struggled in the second tier.
Despite being on loan at the MKM Stadium for the entire season, Burns made just 11 appearances for Hull due to a combination of injuries and poor form. His last appearance for the Tigers came on January 24 and there were even questions raised about whether the 22-year-old’s loan would be ended.
Writer’s View
Losing Bindon and Mbengue in the same window was always going to be a massive blow for Reading, but signing a high-calibre replacement like Burns will help to soften the blow.
His excellent athleticism and height mean that he is dominant in the air, but he has also played the best part of 100 games for Man City’s youth team, meaning he is extremely comfortable on the ball and playing out from the back.
Matty Jacob, Burns’ teammate from last season, has also joined the Royals this summer which will no doubt help him to adapt to being at his new club more easily.
The Royals may still need one more addition in the centre of defence unless they are willing to give a youngster like Louie Holzman the opportunity to establish himself as a first-team regular.
