Clarets sign former Everton defender Birch

Arlen Birch has signed a one-year deal with the Clarets

The 19-year-old right-back, who has spent the past month on trial at Turf Moor, will link-up with Michael Jolley’s Development squad.

And the former England youth international is delighted to sign the long-awaited deal:

Arlen said: “I’m over the moon to finally get the deal done. I have been here for a few weeks now so I’m delighted to join a great group of lads and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Birch, who left the Toffees after eight years at the Merseyside club, was part of the team that beat his old team 4-0 at Finch Farm last week.

He added: “It was a strange feeling going back there and meeting people I have grown up with, but finding ourselves 4-0 up at half time was a surreal feeling.”

The defender comes with good pedigree, being capped at U16 and U18 level for England, as well as being a U18-Premier League winner:

He added: “I’ve been in and around the England national team for a while now, which is an incredible experience.

“Then winning the league title at Everton capped off a wonderful time for me, but now I just want to cement my place in the Development Squad here and hopefully push on from there.”