Updated at 19.48
BURNLEY SIGNED Switzerland striker Zeki Amdouni from Basel for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday, with the player set to provide competition up front for Ireland striker Michael Obafemi.
Amdouni, who was the Europa Conference League top scorer last season, has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 22-year-old netted 12 times for Basel in the 2022-23 Swiss Super League, and scored seven goals in the team’s run to the Conference League semi-finals.
Amdouni, who has also scored five goals in five appearances for Switzerland, said: “I’m very happy to be here and I’m excited to start.
“I spoke to the coach (Vincent Kompany), and he really wanted me. Also, I really wanted to work with him, for me that’s the most important.
“I know the Premier League is the best league in the world. It’s not easy for sure but I am confident with the coach, and the staff, I can do good things here.”
Kompany added: “He’s been on our radar for quite a while now. Zeki is such a goal threat.
“The way he can play the final pass creates so many assists and thanks to the amount of work he puts in on the pitch – he scores plenty himself.”
Burnley, who won promotion from the Championship last season, have already signed West Bromwich Albion defender Dara O’Shea and Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
It’s been a busy week for a couple of Irish players.
On Tuesday, former Ireland U21 international Conor Noss ended his 14-year stay at Borussia Mönchengladbach, having made three first-team appearances for the club during the 2021-22 season.
The 22-year-old midfielder has signed for newly-promoted Austrian top-flight side FC Blau-Weiss Linz.
He is not the only Irishman on the move.
Dubliner Peter Kioso this week signed on loan for League One side Peterborough, dropping down a division from parent club Rotherham
Meanwhile earlier, Barcelona re-signed former Chelsea and Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu and inserted a €400 million release clause into his contract.
Romeu, 31, came through Barca’s famed academy but made only one league outing for the Catalan club before he joined Chelsea in 2011.
Now, 12 years later, Barcelona have announced the midfielder’s return to the Nou Camp on a three-year deal after one season with fellow LaLiga side Girona.
Born in Catalonia, Romeu had a spell in Espanyol’s academy before he joined Barca’s youth team and was given his debut by Pep Guardiola in 2011.
A move to Chelsea followed months later but it was at Southampton where he established himself as a Premier League regular, making 256 appearances during a seven-year stay at the St Mary’s until he left in 2022.
Romeu was a regular for Girona last season and will now ply his trade at Barcelona again under old team-mate Xavi.
In addition, Inter Milan have announced the signing of former Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado.
The 35-year-old has joined Inter on a one-year deal after arriving at the San Siro on a free transfer.
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