Cameron signs pro contact with Burnley

The 17 year-old from Gilpin’s Manor signed a two and a half year professional contract with Premiership hopefuls Burnley on Monday.

Cameron, who as been at Burnley for the past two years as an apprentice, is over the moon.

“It’s a fantastic feeling. This is what I set out for when I started to play. I have been very happy over here and everyone at Burnley has been fantastic,” said Cameron who turns 18 in June.

“I have worked hard to earn this, last season I won the Player of the Year award with the youth team and am now with the Reserves. I have been on the bench with the first team in the games against Watford and the FA Cup tie against Southampton.

“All the coaches are superb and take the time with you individually if you need it.”

A Manchester United fan, Cameron is now set on breaking into the first team. “The target is now to work even harder and get into the first team. With Burnley going so well and pushing for the Premiership it is a great place to be right now. It would be nice to have a chance to play at Old Trafford some day.”

The right full back, a past pupil of St. Francis Primary School and St. Paul’s High School, has also played for Northern Ireland at youth level and is highly rated at Turf Moor.

Mum and dad Anna and Colin are thrilled the way Burnley have looked after their son.

“There were a host of clubs wanting him to go on trial,” explained Colin. “Rangers, Hull City, Wolves, Aston Villa and Spurs were keen on him, but he could not have made a better choice in the end.

“We go over four times a year to see how he is getting on and we are impressed by the set-up at Burnley.

“This is what he wanted to do since he started playing with Sunnyside and then moving on to Cliftonville. We are all very proud of him.”

Last week we reported on Robbie McDaid moving to Leeds United, and along with Cameron’s news this week it is great for local football .

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill (below) said he was delighted to see two young players earn contracts.

“Both Robbie and Cameron are involved with the Under 19 team and I keep an eye on all of the young players,” said O’Neill. “We don’t have enough going to England or Scotland. I know Cameron has been making an impact at Burnley and I have spoken to their manager Sean Dyche about him. For Robbie it is a bit different, going from the Irish League, but it is a great chance for both lads.”