Richard Eckersley has left Burnley after the club confirmed the defender's contract has been cancelled by mutual consent.
Burnley terminate defender's contract
Richard Eckersley has left Burnley after the club confirmed the defender's contract has been cancelled by mutual consent.
The 22-year-old - signed by former Clarets boss Owen Coyle from Manchester United in 2009 - has failed to breakthrough into the first team set-up at Turf Moor and has never played a League game for the Lancashire club.
The full-back, who has just returned from a loan spell at Toronto FC, could join the Canadian club on a permanent deal before their new season kicks off.
A statement on the Clarets'
official website read: "Burnley FC would like to thank Richard for his services and wish him well in his future career.
"He had 18 months left to run on his existing deal at Turf Moor, but is now free to join another club."
Leaving
And Eckersley may not be the only name heading out of Burnley, with manager Eddie Howe suggesting midfielder Alex MacDonald could be leaving the club on loan before the transfer window closes.
The 21-year-old, who has already had loan spells with Falkirk and Inverness, has made seven appearances for Burnley in all competitions this season, but has yet to start a game.
However, Howe insists he is a big admirer of MacDonald, and is hoping to send the youngster out simply to gain more first team experience.
"Alex has done very well for us," explained the Burnley boss. "He has a great attitude, so the next stage of his career would be to go out and play games.
"We want all our young players who need games to go out and play football. Hopefully he would rise to the challenge."
