Aghayere to stay another year with Clarets
Just over three weeks ago, Burnley announced that Khius Metz had been offered a new deal with the club but seven other second year scholars would be leaving. There was no mention of goalkeeper Tony Aghayere who is currently out on loan at Colne.
That’s been put right today with news that Aghayere has joined Metz in being offered a further year at Turf Moor.
I think the first time I saw him was back in August 2014 in a game against Tranmere at Barnoldswick. He’d been unable to play until then because of clearance issues. We lost that game 1-0 when he was very unfortunate to concede after initially saving a penalty, but he certainly impressed and he’s continued to impress on most occasions I’ve seen him although he did have a disappointing game in the FA Youth Cup tie against the Metropolitan Police.
The Madrid born Aghayere will continue under the tutelage of academy goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson who said: “I am very pleased to have Tony on board for next season. He works hard every day and he has improved massively over his two year scholarship. We are confident there’s still a lot to come from him.
“We sent Tony out to Colne really to expose him to first team football. However, we didn’t expect the overall improvements to his game that he has added. He is a big lad and you forget sometimes when you’re looking at him that he’s still only 18-years-old, and to give him another twelve months in this environment will only improve his game further.”
Speaking about his loan, Mawson added: “With the loan to Colne, we just really wanted him to feel what it’s like to walk into a dressing room of men not knowing anyone on and off the pitch. He was really out of his comfort zone but he really needed to work on his social interaction skills, communication, personality and his pitch presence, but in the short time of him being there, he has certainly improved in all of them departments.
“Colne are near the top of the league, playing in front of crowds, playing for points and there’s a real pressure to win points, things that he has embraced and has really kicked him on.
“I can’t express how thankful we are to Colne for all of their efforts with Tony. The manager Steve Cunningham and all of his staff have really looked after him and they have shown brilliant professionalism towards him the way they have developed him and to give him an opportunity, which is vital.
“It’s been great to forge this link between local non-league clubs and from my point of view, we won’t have any problem in doing this again in the future, as Colne can take great credit in the all of the progress Tony has made in his short time there.”
Aghayere will join Conor Mitchell, who signed a new deal himself earlier this year, in the development squad.
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