Andros Townsend shed tears after Burnley deal collapsed

Ex-national player without a club

The 13-time England international Andros Townsend has been without a club since his contract with Everton FC ended in the summer. The 32-year-old right winger played his last competitive game for the “Toffees” in March 2022 before a cruciate ligament injury put him out of action. In an emotional interview with Radio 5, Townsend spoke about the difficult search for a new club, reservations about his injury and tears after a deal with Burnley FC that had already been wrapped up fell through.

“It was probably one of the toughest conversations I’ve had in my career,” explained the right-footer (quoted via “VI”), who was trained at Tottenham Hotspur and played a total of 264 Premier League games, with a view to the failed commitment to the “Clarets”. Townsend played part of the pre-season with Burnley and, according to reports, coach Vincent Kompany was convinced of the veteran’s qualities despite the long injury absence. Due, among other things, to the rapid development of some youth players, the club is said to have ultimately decided against signing him.

“If I had played badly, I could live with that. But we looked at houses, schools for the children, we even talked about jersey numbers. When you are suddenly told that there is no contract, it turns the world upside down. “I just burst into tears,” said the professional, who played in the preparatory game against Real Betis, describing his emotional state.

The misunderstanding with Burnley in the summer was only the beginning. “I was rejected by so many clubs,” Townsend continued. He had numerous discussions with clubs from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but “in the end there was no deal. People gave me false hope. I thought clubs would want to sign a player with my experience, but after my cruciate ligament injury, no club would take the risk.”

Townsend was active for a total of twelve professional clubs during his career and earned around 31 million euros in transfer fees. His market value was once estimated at a personal high of 15 million euros during his time at Crystal Palace.

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