dyton mupawaenda
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Sports Reporter
YOUNG Zimbabwean footballer, Vernon Masara, has signed his first professional contract with Burnley Football Club after an outstanding season with the Under-18 and Under-21 development sides.
The Clarets confirmed that Academy prospect had signed with them.
The youngster, who turned 17 last month, had half of his two-year scholarship to run before penning new terms.
Masara enjoyed an impressive first campaign in full-time football where he scored 21 goals in all competitions across the Under-21 and under-18 age groups, with his performances enough to earn him the Academy Player of the Year accolade.
Despite being 16, for most of 2023/24, Masara spent much of the season playing with Andy Farrell’s Under-21s side.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and I’m really happy,” Masara said. I’ve been working hard for many years and all that effort has now paid off. I’ve been with Burnley since I was nine years old and it’s been a good journey, often playing up an age group against bigger people.
“I’ve played a lot of football in the past year, but I’ve really enjoyed the change.
“One thing that I did at the start of the season was working harder off the ball and ever since I’ve been doing that, my game’s improved.”
Academy Manager David Longwell added:
“We’re delighted that Vernon has committed his future to Burnley Football Club.
“He’s an exciting player with plenty of pace and power and, despite his young age, he’s shown his ability to apply himself and compete against older players’ week in, week out.
“Vernon has worked very hard this season and is fully deserving of this new contract and the Player of the Season award.
“His progress has been such in his first scholarship year that he’s already moved into the under-21 squad where he was amongst the goals, just as he’d been in the under-18s and he capped that by becoming the academy player of the year.”
Vernon is the second born to Anywhere Masara and Lizzie Chitsiga Masara.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter