Burnley FC youth team pair sign professional deals at Turf Moor

The pair are both first-year scholars but have been tied down on two-year professional contracts following outstanding seasons for the Clarets.

“We believe it’s vitally important we produce our own players and this is another important step in that direction,” said first-team manager Eddie Howe.

“Cameron and Luke have both done very well this season and deserve the contracts they have been given.

“We believe both are very promising players who will develop further from working more regularly with the first-team squad.

“It has been an excellent season at youth level and we believe there are few who are good enough to make the step up.”

Attacking midfielder Howieson joined Burnley last summer from the Asia Pacific Football Academy in New Zealand after previously playing his club football for Mosgiel.

The Dunedin-born 17-year-old New Zealand youth international is a key member of the Burnley side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup and after forcing his way into the Reserve line-up at Turf Moor has been involved in the senior squad under Howe.

Left-back Conlan is a Northern Ireland under-19 international who also joined the Clarets last summer from Grosvenor Youth.

The 17-year-old, who comes from Portaferry, has also played for the Reserves this season and trained with the first team after impressing at youth level under the guidance of youth coach Terry Pashley.

Howieson and Conlan follow midfielder Stevie Hewitt in progressing to the professional ranks at Turf Moor and agreeing deals until June, 2014.

And negotiations are on-going with a number of the Clarets’ other youth players as Howe continues to build for the future.