'I saw his talent!' - Burnley boss Scott Parker reveals excitement at club's huge Kyle Walker coup as right-back joins newly-promoted Clarets

Parker was speaking to Sky Sports about the unexpected transfer. The Clarets boss revealed his admiration for the seven-time Premier League winner, sharing that Walker impressed him during their two seasons together as teammates at Tottenham.

Walker joined the newly promoted team on a two-year deal, for a reported fee of £5m. Parker suggested the 35-year-old was open to the deal because he was excited about the challenge, suggesting the Premier League legend will "push every ounce of himself" to help the Clarets achieve success in the upcoming season.

Parker said of the deal: "It was a few conversations over the summer really and probably from the outset, when we were engaging in conversation, I played with Kyle, he was a young player at Spurs, I was at the other end of my career and I saw his talent. What he has gone on to achieve is nothing short of remarkable really and fully deserved. I think like anything, when there is an opportunity for someone of Kyle’s quality and ability, and we are in a race for that, it was one that excited me, for sure.

The Burnley boss added: “I think the biggest thing I can say to Kyle is when I was speaking to him was the challenges he speaks about. This is a guy that every season has had a challenge, that challenge is probably different now but the feeling he gives me, and I know him, is it’s a challenge he is absolutely relishing. What gets this human being up every morning is knowing there is a challenge ahead.

“No doubt, Kyle could have had other opportunities for sure. But I think the challenge of this next thing for him is what gets him out of bed, it’s one he’s engaged with, one he’s going to drive, one he’s going to push every ounce of himself to try and get us to be successful this year. For me, of course, the quality is there and what he’s achieved is there and I hope he brings every bit of that to this young squad and pushes us as far as we can go really.”

That embrace of the challenge will likely be a mantra shared by Parker with other members of Burnley's squad. The Clarets will have their work cut out to remain in the Premier League, especially given the recent history of promoted teams immediately falling back into the Championship. Walker will add nous to a backline that excelled last season. Burnley conceded just 16 goals in their 46 league games.