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Who Is This £5m Forward That Burnley Have Lured In On Deadline Day? Everything You Need To Know

Nahki Wells

Why Nahki Wells Is A Good Signing For Burnley

Burnley completed their 7th signing of the summer, after they signed Bermuda striker Nahki Wells from Premier League newbies Huddersfield Town on the deadline day, for a fee reported to be in the region of £5million (BBC Sport).

The 27-year old had become surplus to requirements for the Terriers, after manager David Wagner had brought in several reinforcements for the centre-forward position in the form of Steve Mounie and Laurent Depoitre, to add to the likes of Elias Kachunga and Collin Quaner. The Clarets decided to swoop in and sign Wells on the final day of the summer transfer window.

On his unveiling, the Bermudian striker said (as quoted by BBC):  

“I have no doubt this is an ideal move for me, I feel I can go on and do great things. I’m here to grow,” he added. “It’s a step up for me and it’s one that I’m relishing.” 

Burnley have enough numbers in their strike-force, despite having sold star man Andre Gray to fellow Premier League club Watford, earlier in the transfer window. Last season’s top-scorer Sam Vokes has started the season on a strong note already and he will be complemented by the ever-present Ashley Barnes, along with experienced pro Jonathan Walters, who joined them from Stoke City for £3million.

Then there is also the club-record signing Chris Wood, who was signed as a direct replacement for the departed Gray, from Championship side Leeds United for a fee of £15million.

But, the signing of Wells still represents a very good piece of business for Sean Dyche’s outfit. All the options that he has at his disposal – be it Vokes, Barnes or Wood, are more of the quintessential target men in the box. Wells, on the other hand, will offer a very different threat to all these players. The 27-year old is known for his burst of pace and dribbling skills and he will add that threat of running in behind the defences and playing on the shoulders of the centre-backs.

Wells has scored more than 10 league goals in all of the past six seasons, be it with Bradford City or Huddersfield Town. Last season, the Bermuda man scored 10 goals and registered 3 assists in 43 Championship games, playing a vital role in the Terriers’ promotion bid. His goal-return might have been a little reduced compared to previous seasons, but the way Huddersfield set up and played under Wagner last season had an impact on it.  

Wells is someone who will run the channels hard, offer an outlet for his team at the top and beat defenders with his speed. He has that knack of making smart drifting runs towards the wider areas, that tends to open up spaces for his other teammates. He may be currently nursing an ankle injury, but when fit and ready to go, he will add a different dimension to Burnley’s attack and could prove to be a key addition to the squad.