Burnley FC pro deal landed by ex-Hastings United prospect

The former Hastings United defender has put pen to paper on a deal running until June 2025.

A powerful centre-back, the 18-year-old is also able to move into midfield and first joined the Clarets in January 2021 from United, where he had been playing regular first-team football at only 16 and was highly regarded by then manager Chris Agutter and his backroom team.

With experience also to his name in the academy set-up at Brighton & Hove Albion, the teenager played at both U18 and U23 levels for Burnley last term, impressing towards the back end of the campaign on his return from injury.

Netting his first goal at U21 level a few weeks ago in a 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic, Ward now pens his first professional contract, and is delighted to have done so.

He told the Burnley website: “Burnley is a great club and a great place to be. I’ve progressed so much already in the time I’ve been here that securing my future long-term was a no-brainer.

“I’m still young and I have a lot to learn, but this is the right place for me to do just that. I want to gain more experience, and it goes without saying that the ambition has to be to eventually get myself into the first-team set-up.

“Like a lot of the U21 lads, and even some of the U18s, I’ve trained with them a bit already over the last couple of months and once you’ve had a taste of it, that’s where you want to be at.

“For now though, it’s all about concentrating on improving day by day & using those around me to help me on that path.”

Daniel Stoner, managing director of MONDO Sports Management Ltd, who represent Ward, said: “We are delighted for Benn in signing his first professional contract in the EFL Championship with Burnley.

"Benn’s achievement is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication that resulted in great success in recent years at U18 and U21 level, and it was only a matter of time before this was recognised. Benn is definitely one to watch and will no doubt make his mark in the Professional game.”