Burnley re-sign player they axed two months ago after he randomly bumped into chairman on plane

SCOTT PARKER has made his first signing as Burnley boss.

The former Bournemouth and Fulham man was confirmed as new Clarets manager yesterday.

Getty

Johann Berg Gudmundsson has re-signed for Burnley[/caption]

PA

He is Scott Parker’s first signing as Burnley boss[/caption]

And his first signing is to bring a player back who the Clarets released two months ago.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 33, has now officially re-joined the club.

Burnley confirmed that the midfielder would be returning to the club with an official statement.

Speaking to the club’s website, Gudmunsson said: “I’m back and I’m extremely happy! This club means so much to me.

“Leaving the club in the situation it was, getting relegated, was difficult. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to help get us back into the Premier League where we belong.

“I knew my football career was definitely not over.” 

The midfielder admitted a chance meeting on a plane with Burnley’s chairman helped open the door to his return, saying : “I was on the same flight from Amsterdam as Alan Pace and we had a good conversation about the club and what we could do to get it back in to the Premier League where it belongs, and here I am, signing again as a Burnley player.

“I’ve also spoken with the new manager and I just want to help this team to get back to the Premier League.

The Times

A chance meeting with Alan Pace saw Gudmundsson return to Burnley[/caption]

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“It’s going to be hard. The Championship is extremely hard. But the talent we have in this squad, the experience we have in this squad we can look at this season in a positive way, but we know we need to work extremely hard.

“It’s not enough to have talent in this league. You have to work hard every day, every game, and that’s why I’m here to make sure that’s what we’re going to do.”

Parker’s new job as Burnley boss is his first since he was sacked by Belgian giants Club Brugge in 2023 after just 12 matches in charge.

Speaking after being announced by the club on Friday night, he said: “I’m really pleased to be here! I have been speaking with Burnley for some time now which has been a positive thing as I’ve now got a real feel for the people around the club.

“To be around the training ground now you start to get that feeling again and I can’t wait to get on the training field and start work!

“For us to be successful this year is the most important thing. We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of.

“This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that’s the aim.”

Parker’s first job in management was at Fulham in 2019 and he led them to Premier League promotion in 2020 via the play-offs.

After quitting as Fulham boss shortly after their promotion, he then guided Bournemouth back to the Premier League in 2022.