Burnley has announced that forward Jay Rodriguez has extended his contract with the club for another year. Rodriguez, who turned 34 in March, played 21 games for the Clarets last season as they were relegated from the Premier League. He had been due to leave Turf Moor at the end of June, but he has decided to stay and help the team’s efforts to return to the top flight.
Rodriguez, who played once for England, was born and raised in Burnley and is a lifelong supporter of the club. He made his debut for Burnley in 2007 after graduating from their academy and returned to the club in 2019 after stints at Southampton and West Bromwich Albion. Rodriguez recently reached his 250th league appearance for Burnley on the final day of last season.
“It’s a great feeling and a real privilege to represent Burnley,” Rodriguez said. “I am thrilled to be here for another year and I am determined to help this club achieve its goals.” The former Southampton player emphasized the importance of unity and hard work among teammates as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League. “We need to stick together as a team,” he said. “If we work hard and keep pushing each other, we can overcome any challenges that come our way.”
Burnley is currently searching for a new manager after Vincent Kompany left Bayern Munich earlier this month. However, Rodriguez believes that whoever takes charge will have a strong foundation on which to build success at Turf Moor. “The players are all excited about what lies ahead,” he said. “We know it won’t be easy, but we are up for it.”
