In a move that sent shockwaves through the football world, Kyle Walker, the 35-year-old England international and Manchester City stalwart, bid an emotional farewell to the Etihad faithful after securing a £5 million transfer to newly promoted Burnley. The veteran right-back, who spent eight trophy-laden years with the Cityzens, took to social media on July 5, 2025, to share a heartfelt 247-word message, reflecting on a remarkable chapter that saw him lift 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. As he embarks on a two-year deal with the Clarets, Walker’s departure marks the end of an era, but his enthusiasm for a fresh challenge under former teammate Scott Parker signals a bold new beginning.
Walker’s journey at Manchester City, which began with a £45 million move from Tottenham in 2017, was defined by relentless success. From the historic 2023 treble to the “Centurions” season of 2017-18, where City amassed 100 points, he was a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s dynasty. “You name it, we’ve kind of done it,” Walker said, his voice thick with gratitude as he addressed fans. “From Khaldoon, to Txiki and obviously the manager, you’ve truly left a special place in my heart forever.” Yet, the past year saw his role diminish. Omitted from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad alongside Jack Grealish and loaned to AC Milan for the second half of the 2024-25 season, Walker struggled to maintain his peak form. Milan’s decision not to make the move permanent left him seeking a new home, with his City contract set to expire in 2026.
Burnley, fresh off a 100-point Championship campaign under Parker, emerged as an unexpected destination. The move reunites Walker with Parker, his former Tottenham teammate from 2011-13, and offers a chance to bring his 96 England caps and over 400 Premier League appearances to a squad hungry for top-flight survival. “I’m delighted to be here,” Walker enthused. “When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at. Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can’t wait to come in and add my experience.” His arrival as Burnley’s fifth summer signing, alongside Axel Tuanzebe and Quilindschy Hartman, bolsters a defense tasked with defying the odds in the Premier League.
The transfer, worth up to £5 million with bonuses, also saves City an estimated £10 million in wages, reflecting their strategic squad overhaul after a season that saw them scrape Champions League qualification. Fans, however, were stunned. “Man City to Milan to Burnley in 7 months is brazy,” one supporter posted online, while another called it a “fall from grace.” Walker, undeterred, sees it as a reset. “It’s kind of not a farewell but a see you soon,” he told City fans, thanking past and present teammates for the “absolute honour” of sharing the pitch with “legends of the game.” His ambition to reach 100 England caps and play in a sixth major tournament fuels his drive, with a potential Burnley debut looming on August 16.
Walker’s emotional farewell resonated deeply, as he acknowledged the fans’ role in City’s golden era. “The ups, the downs, the good and bad times, the treble, the four in a row, you name it, we’ve kind of done it,” he said, his words a love letter to a club that shaped his legacy. Burnley’s creative announcement, set to Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” struck a lighter note, but Walker’s move carries weight. As he prepares to lead at Turf Moor, his experience could be the key to Burnley’s survival, proving that for this Sheffield-born star, the fire to compete burns as brightly as ever.
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