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Transfer news: Burnley sign Michael Kightly from Stoke City for an undisclosed fee

Burnley's Michael Kightly celebrates after scoring the second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Turf Moor, Burnley.
Image: Michael Kightly: Celebrates one of his eight Burnley goals

Stoke midfielder Michael Kightly has joined Burnley on a permanent deal after he spent last season on loan at Turf Moor.

The 28-year-old, who played a key role in the club's promotion, becomes manager Sean Dyche's first recruit of the close season after joining for an undisclosed fee and signing a three-year deal.

The former England Under-21 international, who scored five goals in 38 games last season, said: "As soon as we secured promotion to the Premier League last season, I wanted to make sure that I signed.

"Coming in on loan is usually difficult but it only took a few weeks here to get settled and it is great to be a permanent Burnley player now, as opposed to a loanee.

"It took a while to get it over the line but now it is all secured I'm really pleased."

The Basildon-born player began his career in non-League football before joining Wolves and later having a loan spell at Watford. 

He joined Stoke in the summer of 2012 but was allowed to move to Burnley a year later.

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Kightly said: "At the tail end of last season I felt like I was getting back to my best and if I can carry that into next season then I will have a good campaign.

"It'll be a tough start to the campaign with Chelsea at home but you can look at that in two ways and we'll certainly start with a positive mindset.

"People might write us off, but we're certainly not here to make up the numbers and hopefully we can surprise a few people again."

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