Burnley close in on Bristol City keeper Heaton

Burnley Football Club is looking to close a deal to sign former England U21 goalkeeper Tom Heaton on a free transfer from Bristol City.

The Clarets are in pole position to make the 27-year-old stopper a prospective first signing of the summer on a long-term deal at Turf Moor.

Heaton, who started his career with Manchester United, is a free agent this summer, having just completed a one-year stay with the Robins.

Chester-born Heaton, 6ft 2in, began his career at Old Trafford, before enjoying numerous loan spells after failing to break through into the first team.

In 2005/06 he saved a penalty on his debut on loan at Swindon, and later spent time with Royal Antwerp, Cardiff City, Rochdale, QPR and Wycombe Wanderers.

In 2008 Heaton, who played for England at youth levels, made his England U21 debut under Stuart Pearce to earn the first of three caps.

After leaving Manchester United in 2010 in search of regular first team football, he spent two years back at Cardiff City, making 40 appearances and starring in their 2011/12 League Cup campaign, where he saved two penalties against Crystal Palace in the semi-final and another from Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard in the penalty shoot-out final defeat at Wembley.

Heaton then moved on to Bristol City in the summer of 2012, but was unable to halt the Robins’ relegation to League One.

If talks are successful, Heaton would become Sean Dyche’s first summer signing as the Clarets boss looks to re-mould his squad for another assault on the Championship next season.