Burnley snap up Stoke winger Kightly

Burnley beat the deadline last night to land Stoke City winger Michael Kightly on a season-long loan.
DEADLINE DAY CAPTURE: Michael KightlyDEADLINE DAY CAPTURE: Michael Kightly
DEADLINE DAY CAPTURE: Michael Kightly

The 27-year-old agreed a move from the Britannia Stadium literally at the 11th hour, with the papers lodged moments before the transfer window closed.

And it means a reunion with boss Sean Dyche, who signed the former England Under 21 man on a three-month loan two years ago while in charge at Watford, where Kightly scored three goals in 12 appearances.

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Kightly, who started his professional career at Southend United in 2003, before dropping out of the Football League to join Grays Athletic two years later, wasn’t the only player pursued by the club on deadline day.

They lodged two bids for Brighton forward Ashley Barnes, with a final offer of £500,000, although that deal was dead in the water long before the deadline, with Albion unwilling to sell the player.

The loan window opens next week, ahead of the derby a week on Saturday with Blackburn Rovers, with suggestions that Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard could add to the squad before then.

However, Kightly completes a successful summer of business for Dyche, who, without spending a penny in fees, has managed to secure deals for Tom Heaton, Alex Cisak, Nick Liversedge, Daniel Nizic, David Jones, Scott Arfield and Ryan Noble.

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Kightly comes with good pedigree, having moved from Grays to Wolves in January 2007, where he soon earned a four-year extension and an England Under 21 call up.

He was hit by injury, though he played a prominent role as Mick McCarthy’s side won the Championship in 2009.

He joined Stoke last summer after rejecting a contract extension at Molineux, and scored on his debut at Reading, going on to make 26 appearances for the Potters last season.

Kightly will link up with his new Burnley team mates on their return to training later this week.