Source: FOOTYMAD
Treacy completes Burnley move
Keith Treacy is a Burnley player. He's signed a three year contract with the Clarets and becomes our first permanent signing since that of Marvin Bartley in the last transfer window. Eddie Howe's gets first permanent signing of the summer We've waited long enough since the end of last season and up to now the only previous activity had been the loan signings of Manchester City pair Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier. Republic of Ireland international Treacy definitely fits the bill age wise. He's 23 next month and fits the profile of the player Eddie Howe is looking to bring to Turf Moor as he continues to reduce the average age of the squad. He started his professional career with Blackburn Rovers, thus making him the first player to have been with both clubs since Alan Mahon, although his first action in a first team came in December 2006 when he spent a month on loan at Stockport, making four appearances. The following season saw him make a couple of cup appearances for Blackburn, his debut coming against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup, but in August 2008 he made his Premier League debut coming on as a substitute for Morten Gamst Pedersen in a 3-2 defeat at Everton. He featured in 12 Premier League games during the season but he wasn't to play for Blackburn again. He went to Sheffield United on loan for the beginning of the 2009/10 season but lost his place in the side by November with Kevin Blackwell in charge. That saw a return to Ewood but not for long. He signed for Preston on loan and made that deal a permanent one in the next transfer window. Since, he's played 58 times for North End, scoring 11 goals. One of those goals came in his first ever game against Burnley at Turf Moor last September, scoring their second in a game that we went on to win 4-3. He certainly impressed in that game. Treacy was also in the Preston side when we completed the double over them later in the season. During his time at Deepdale the Dubliner has also played at full international level five times for the Republic of Ireland. At last season's end there was much speculation about his future following their relegation. A number of clubs were believed to be interested in him, including ourselves. Yesterday, he was left out of their friendly against Wigan at Burnley's request. Manager Phil Brown had a strop about it whilst striker Iain Hume had plenty to say, blasting the club for selling him. Brown, when asked, just said: "You'd better ask the chairman about Keith Treacy. It's something which is out of my hands." It was Hume who broke the news of the deal having been agreed. After North End's friendly he spilt the beans. "Keith is a top player. He could win us 15 points this season on his own," he striker said. "He is going to be a big miss if and when he goes. It is disappointing because certain things were said that nobody else was going anywhere. So for people to be going somewhere sort of goes back on that word. "I know it is financially helping the club, but it is also hindering the club because we need to replace like for like, and it is hard to replace Keith Treacy. At times he dazzled the Championship last season - when Keith wanted to play, no one could handle him. The thing is, he has shown up for pre-season and clearly wants to play. "He had a little break because he had played international football, and after coming back looked in good condition and raring to go. I believe he spoke to the manager about staying and helping get us promoted. "We showed up for the game (v Wigan on Sunday) and found out he wasn't involved. I'm speaking my mind because I'm disappointed. I want to get out of this division and we need to do that with the best players we have got. When we get rid of them it is hard to do that. Hopefully not many more, if any, will go." Brown and Hume though will now have to continue without him as Treacy joins Burnley on a three year deal. The fee is, as is common now, undisclosed, but it is believed to be around £750,000 with a full payment being made immediately. Some of that money will be going the way of Venky's and Blackburn Rovers. The former management of our local rivals placed a sell on clause in the deal when Treacy moved to Preston.
