Last season’s Premier League promotion finalists Aston Villa are targeting Wigan Athletic’s Dan Burn. According to reports, Steve Bruce’s side are keen on bolstering their options at the back. England legend John Terry and Chris Samba have already left Villa Park this summer. Tommy Elphick is also expected to switch to fellow Championship side Reading.
There remain uncertainties as to where James Chester’s future lies as transfer speculations continue to swirl. It only makes sense for Villa to seek defensive reinforcements if they are to mount a serious title challenge next season.
So who is Dan Burn? Here is everything you should know about the 26-year-old, who went from pushing trolleys at Asda to knocking rampant Manchester City out of The FA Cup.
The tall centre-half was let go by boyhood club Newcastle United at the age of 11 and by the time he was 16, his future was so uncertain that he’d taken up a job at the local Asda store.
His football breakthrough came when Darlington offered him a professional contract in 2009. However, Darlington’s financial struggles, combined with a lack of squad depth, saw Burn make room for himself in the first-team. But better things awaited him as he signed for Fulham after two seasons.
Burn spent a successful season-long loan with League One at Yeovil Town, making 41 appearances and scoring three goals for the club. He was recalled to Fulham and sent out on loan yet again to Birmingham City, where he played 28 matches before returning to Craven Cottage.
Following Fulham’s relegation from the Premier League, Burn stayed back at the club but the following season saw him leave upon expiration of his contract. And it was Wigan Athletic who snapped him up.
Wigan got relegated to League One that season but Burn established himself as a regular starter. Burn remained with the Latics and spearheaded their title win and return to the Championship last season.
Strong in the air and hard at tackling, Burn will not only bring in experience but he would also be able to cope with the physicality of the gruelling Championship.
Thus, he would be a welcome option for Villa, whose backline seems threadbare right now.
