Burnley FC have announced the signing of Axel Tuanzebe, a 27-year-old defender, as they prepare for the 2025–26 Premier League season. This transfer comes into effect from July 1, 2025, following the end of Tuanzebe’s contract at Ipswich Town. Tuanzebe, who was born in DR Congo but raised in England, is a product of the Manchester United academy and is known for his poise, pace and ability to play anywhere along the back line.
He is Burnley’s third signing of the summer under new manager Scott Parker, and they look forward to playing in the Premier League again. The signing shows that Clarets are determined to add to their defence with proven Premier League quality.
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Axel Tuanzebe: New Deal With Burnley
On June 26, 2025, Burnley announced that Tuanzebe had signed with them on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract. Tuanzebe opted to go to Burnley after deciding not to accept a contract extension offer at Ipswich Town and instead trying to return to the Premier League.
In his first statement, Tuanzebe said: “After speaking with the manager, it became a very simple decision, and the message was very clear, precise and straight to the point. It is a new chapter for me and, ideally, I am back in the vicinity of Manchester and home, so I am now ready to continue my journey at Burnley.”
This deal demonstrates Parker’s intentions to add leadership and defensive stability to the squad, already adding goalkeeper Max Weiss and left-back Quilindschy Hartman at the start of the window.
His First Interview After Joining Burnley
Axel Tuanzebe showed calm, focus, and appreciation in Burnley’s official announcement video. He described how instrumental Scott Parker’s communication was in convincing him to join the project at Turf Moor. “From the minute I had that conversation, it was clear what the club expects and where they want to go. It felt like an organic fit.”
Tuanzebe described wanting to be closer to home, after being on the move for the last year, and how Burnley’s ambition matched his ambitions of stability and getting regular football, exclusively at the top level.
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Stats and Performance at Ipswich Town
Tuanzebe joined Ipswich Town in September 2023 after a short stint there previously, and quickly made himself a mainstay on the side. After helping the team gain promotion from the Championship in 2023–24, he continued to impress in the Premier League.
2024–25 Season (Premier League):
During the 2024-25 Premier League season, Axel Tuanzebe played a total of 22 matches, starting 20 of those, and totalled just over 1700 minutes on the field. He did not score, but did have one assist, and was solid defensively with key tackles, clearances and interceptions. He also maintained good passing and won nearly all of his aerial duels. Tuanzebe received four yellow cards and one red card.
Although he was often placed as a right back, he also played centrally when necessary. Ipswich finished 19th and faced relegation; however, Tuanzebe, in addition to his solid performances, also showed leadership, maturity and recovery pace. He registered only one goal in the 2023-24 FA Cup and participated in some of the most high-profile fixtures of the season against Brentford and Chelsea. He did have some lapses regarding defensive focus and timing under pressure.
Another moment of adversity during his season occurred when he sustained a strange thumb injury in October 2024, said to have happened while washing dishes, which required a procedure. However, Tuanzebe returned and was able to complete the whole course of the season without re-injury.
What to Expect from Tuanzebe at Burnley
Burnley are capturing a player who has a wealth of top-level experience to offer as well as tactical flexibility, as he can play centre-back, right-back or even a defensive midfield role if needed. Tuanzebe’s experience at Manchester United, Napoli, Aston Villa and Stoke City will provide the kind of dressing-room presence Burnley will need as they return to the Premier League.
Injuries have stalled progress at times, but he proved he can still produce top-quality performances when given a run of games at Ipswich. Tuanzebe could thrive under Scott Parker’s management. Parker looks for defenders who show composure on the ball and are disciplined in their positioning.
It’s important that Tuanzebe can lead the line in defence and communicate whilst being able to cover for himself in one-on-one situations. At 27, this could be the moment that defines his career. Burnley may just be the stability he has long desired.
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