Matej Vydra parts ways with Burnley
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The Czech Republic international’s contract ran out at the end of June, but the club held discussions over a new deal, as he continued his rehabilitation from a ruptured cruciate knee ligament which forced him out of the last four games of last season, as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League.
He was back at Burnley at the start of last week, working with the physios, and meeting new boss Vincent Kompany, and earlier this week had another date with his surgeon in London to assess how things are going.
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Hide AdProfessor Andy Williams – who has helped treat the likes of Michael Owen, Theo Walcott, John Terry, Lawrence Dallaglio, Andrew Flintoff and Shoaib Akhtar – has been surprised by his progress, with Vydra thought to be around a month ahead of schedule, as he targets a return around the turn of the year.
However, there was no breakthrough over his contract, with the player keen to stay at the club, but not on the terms on offer, with other clubs checking on his situation.
And he will now go back home to the Czech Republic to continue his recovery, as he only has a rental contract in this country until the middle of this month.
Vydra said on instagram: “I would like to say farewell to my amazing fans, who have supported me throughout my time in Burnley FC.
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Hide Ad"I’ve been lucky to experience the family atmosphere of the club, great teammates, and outstanding support from our doctors and physiotherapists that have helped me with my injury.
"I’ve done my very best to play to my fullest potential during the length of my contract, not afraid to risk getting injured even towards the end of this contract.
"That’s just who I am and I wanted to help my club at any cost.
"Unfortunately, during a match against Watford, I got serious(ly) injured and the club got relegated to the Championship.
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Hide Ad"Yesterday I went to see my brilliant surgeon Andy Williams, who was very pleased with my recovery.
"I’m ahead of the estimated recovery time and I was told I could soon be on the field again.
"Negotiations with the club were minimal, I received one offer which I could not accept.
"To the club and to the fans, I wish a great season and the best of luck.”
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Hide AdThe last time he played in the second tier, Vydra was the Championship’s top goalscorer with Derby, netting 21 goals in 40 games to seal an £11m move to Burnley.
Kompany, when asked about the situation, said: "I know prior to me coming to the club there were discussions, and the player and the club had discussions, and the agent and the club, and the rest, which is more important, is his injury is healing well, his recovery is going well.
"The normal thing to do is the club offered a contract, the player is allowed and can stay with us until he's completely fit, there's absolutely no doubt about that, but then the rest is between what the club discussed previously and what Vyds discussed previously with his side.
"There's no doubt he's a good player, but these situations are what they are, I think the priority is he gets fit, and whether he's with us or another club, he's going to land on his feet."