Burnley FC sign Jon Stewart

The former Bournemouth goalkeeper, 22, has been on trial with the Clarets in pre-season, featuring in three games as a late substitute at Bury, Torquay United and Oldham Athletic.

Clarets boss Eddie Howe said: “We knew Jon from our time at Bournemouth and he is a very talented young lad.

“He is only 22, in goalkeeping terms he has a lot of time left in him and we feel he is a goalkeeper of huge potential.

“He has all the tools and you only need to see his size and athletic profile to realise that.

“He needs to spend some time with (goalkeeping coach) Billy Mercer on the training ground working on his weaknesses and areas to improve and if he does that, then he’s going to be a goalkeeper for the future.”

Stewart started his career with Swindon before joining Weymouth in 2006.

Four years later, following a brief spell training with Portsmouth, he signed for Bournemouth, where he made four appearances before becoming a free agent after leaving the south coast club in April, 2011.

And Howe has explained his rationale after adding a third goalkeeper to the squad at Turf Moor.

He said: “You are always one injury away from needing another goalkeeper.

“We are very blessed with two fantastic goalkeepers, but I always feel that day to day having three just works so much better.

“I have to say Jon has fitted into the group and I am thankful to Brian (Jensen) and Lee (Grant) for that too because they have made him feel very welcome.

“They are their own little team with Billy and they have been brilliant in pre-season.”