Lyle Foster’s Burnley have secured their promotion back to the Premier League.
The Clarets, along with league leaders Leeds United, claimed their place in the English top-flight with two games of their Championship season to play after wins over Sheffield United and Stoke City respectively.
The top two sides both have 94 points from 44 games and will battle it out for top spot over the next two weeks.
Foster joined Burnley from KVC Westerlo in January 2023, halfway through the club’s 2022/23 promotion campaign, but was unable to stop the club from being relegated the following campaign.
He played 30 times in all competitions in the Championship this past season, scoring three goals and making five, having missed a few months of the season with a knee injury.
In total for Scott Parker’s team, the South African striker has played 71 games, scoring nine goals and creating nine.
Sheffield United in third place were looking to secure automatic promotion, but a brace from Josh Brownhill in the first half, including a late penalty, secured a 2-1 win for Burnley, who now cannot be caught.
Parker, who has previously won promotion with Fulham and Bournemouth, said after the game: “It means everything really, we set a mission to get promoted – early in the season, there were a lot of ups and downs.
“I’m proud of a group of players who were committed, followed instructions, and now we’re in the Premier League.
“Hard work, I build my life on that, and every player has taken that on board. The group are together, and it’s got us here. This [promotion] feels better. I’ve had some bumps in the road, losing my job at Brugge, and I knew there was a big challenge here. I’m relieved and happy – for my family, and other people who aren’t in the spotlight.”
