The lure of the Premier League was too much to resist for Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick as he completed a move from Derby County to Burnley.
The midfielder joined the Turf Moor club for an undisclosed club-record fee, believed to be in the region of £10m, on a three-year deal.
Hendrick is with Martin O’Neill’s Irish squad as they prepare for Monday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier in Serbia and, while he admits it is strange that he will not meet his new team-mates for another week, he is delighted to have secured his move after a summer of waiting.
“I would have preferred it to happen earlier to get to know your team-mates and coaching staff a bit more but I am just thankful it’s done now and I can go away with Ireland knowing my future is settled,” said Hendrick.
“It’s a little weird signing for a club and not meeting everyone for more than a week, but I am really looking forwards to getting back and training with the lads.”
Hendrick scored 27 goals in 214 games for Derby since breaking into the first team in 2011, while he has 26 caps for Ireland and impressed for O’Neill’s side this summer at Euro 2016.
Moving to the Premier League was a big motivating factor but the 24-year-old says it was important to know that Burnley were determined to secure his signature.
“The Premier League was a big draw for me and it’s where I aspire to be after the summer I’ve had,” he added.
“Burnley did so well last year going unbeaten for five months and how much they wanted me this summer was a real positive for me.”
Hendrick’s first chance to appear for the Clarets comes on September 10 when Hull City visit Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche’s side are 2.30 to win the game while Hull are 3.25 and the draw 3.00.
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