[themaclad]

Burnley captain Ben Mee has been released after 11 years with the club.

The 32-year-old initially joined the Clarets on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City in 2011 before signing permanently the following August.

He twice helped the team win promotion to the Premier League and ended last season assisting caretaker coach Mike Jackson as they were relegated.

Aaron Lennon, Phil Bardsley, Dale Stephens, Erik Pieters and James Tarkowski are also leaving.

England international Tarkowski, 29, is in talks to join Everton.

The Turf Moor side are in talks with midfielder Jack Cork, 32, and striker Matej Vydra, 29, about extending their deals.

Under-23 players Joel Mumbongo, Richard Nartey, Anthony Glennon, Ethen Vaughan, Sam Unwin, Anthony Gomez Mancini, Calen Gallagher-Allison and Harry Allen have all been let go as the club prepare for their first season outside the top flight since 2015-16.

[themaclad]

Wolves have signed Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins from Burnley for £20.5m.

Collins, 21, has signed a five-year deal at Molineux with the option of a further 12 months and is Bruno Lage's first signing of the summer.

His arrival fills the gap created by the departure of Romain Saiss, who left the Black Country side after the expiry of his contract last month.

Collins only joined Burnley from Stoke on a four-year deal last summer.

He has joined Wolves in time to join his new teammates for their pre-season training camp in Alicante.

For all the latest Wolves content, and the chance to have your say on what Collins will bring to the side, go to our club page
Collins was not a regular during the first half of the campaign but, after coming in for injured captain Ben Mee in March, developed into a key figure as Burnley took their ultimately unsuccessful Premier League survival battle to the final day.

And, with three years left on his contract, it was always likely the Lancashire side would look to cash in on a player who has attracted top-flight interest this summer.

Wolves technical director Scott Sellars said: "We've looked at Nathan for a while. We think we've signed a player with a lot of potential, as well as being a very good footballer now.

"We're getting someone who is physically very good, very tall, very athletic, and is very comfortable on the ball - he can step in and take the ball forward, which is what we need. He's very good in both boxes and has real aerial strength.

"The feedback on his personality is about his leadership qualities, he's a good character, so he ticks all the boxes. He comes across as expected, a humble young man who is appreciative of the opportunity, so we're all going to be very happy."

[themaclad]

Midfielder Ashley Westwood has left Burnley to join Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC on a free transfer.

The 32-year-old's deal runs until 2024, with the American club having a further 12-month option on his contract.

Westwood started his career with Crewe and went on to spend much of the past decade playing in the Premier League with Aston Villa and Burnley.

He last featured for Burnley in April because of an ankle injury, which the club says he has now recovered from.

[themaclad]

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on loan for the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old Burnley forward spent the first half of the season at Besiktas but is now heading to Manchester for a medical before the move can be completed.

A deal has been reached for his loan at the Turkish club to be terminated.

Weghorst scored eight goals and registered four assists in 16 league games for Besiktas.


His latest goal came in a 2-1 win against Kasimpasa on 7 January and, following that match, he appeared to wave goodbye to Besiktas' fans.

The move allows United manager Erik ten Hag to bring in his fellow Dutchman to fill the vacancy he has for a striker in his squad.

Weghorst also scored two late goals for the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final with Argentina last month.

He also scored in the penalty shoot-out, which Argentina went on to win.

The 30-year-old scored two goals in 20 appearances for Burnley following his £12m arrival from Wolfsburg 12 months ago, a contribution that was not enough to prevent the Clarets being relegated to the Championship.

Providing there are no issues, Weghorst could be registered in time to be involved in Saturday's derby game against Manchester City at Old Trafford.