I wanted a place with special atmosphere, says Walker

Veteran defender Kyle Walker has joined Burnley, citing the club's family atmosphere, vision, and manager Scott Parker’s influence as key reasons. With 410 Premier League appearances, Walker aims to mentor younger players and help Burnley retain its top-flight status.

HYDERABAD: Kyle Walker said it was great to be part of Burnley and seeing what Burnley have achieved over the last couple of seasons has been fantastic to watch from the outside.

“I already know some faces at the club, and I’m excited to get started this season,” he said in a chat with JioHotstar ahead of the Premier League.

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“At this point in my career, I felt I needed something different — a real family club. After spending many years at a great club and a spell overseas, I wanted a place with that special atmosphere. My son trains at the Burnley training ground, and you can really sense the aura there and see the vision the owners have for the club. I wanted to be part of that success and the journey Burnley are on,” Walker explained.

Burnley manager Scott Parker has been a massive influence. The style of football he’s brought—not only here at Burnley but previously at Fulham—was something I admired. But above all, I value him as a person,” he said.

“ I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room with him, both at Tottenham and for England, and when someone like that calls and asks you to join his team, it means a lot. I’m grateful for the opportunity he and everyone at the club have given me,” Walker said.

On the way ahead in his Premier League story, Walker said with 410 Premier League appearances, he had almost thought it might be time to move on, but football was a strange and wonderful game.

“I hope I can add to that number and bring something to this dressing room and our style of play. I try to be a leader on the pitch, and I hope the younger players can look up to me and learn from my experience. I also want to support the gaffer, Scott, in every way I can,” he said.

On mentoring the next generation after joining Burnley, Walker said he believed it was important to give back at this stage of his career.

“You start out as the young one, then become the experienced player on the outside, and eventually, you’re the oldest in the group. Do I feel old? No—I still feel young and there’s definitely more life in the legs. But now, I want to give back, not just to my teammates, but also to everyone who has supported me throughout my career,” Walker said.

“It’s vital to help educate the younger players, not only about football—which is a wonderful game—but also about life beyond football, about how to conduct yourself as a person. I hope I can pass that on, both on and off the pitch, and most importantly, help Burnley secure results and stay in what I regard as the best league in the world,” he said.

“Pre-season was key for me as a new signing. That’s why I wanted to get everything finalised as soon as possible—this is where you build real connections. When you spend long days with your teammates, focused solely on football with no outside distractions, you truly get to know the people around you,” he said.

“I know I’ll be up for my initiation song in camp, and I’m ready for it! But I haven’t come here thinking I’m above anyone; I’m joining as a teammate, just like everyone else. I’m a Burnley player now and I want to achieve great things for this club,” Walker said.

“Hopefully, the fans have seen me over the years and watched how I play. I’ve played at Turf Moor for various clubs, and I know when the crowd gets behind you, it becomes a really tough, hostile place to visit. We need to make it a fortress. Winning your home games is so important—no one likes coming here, I can assure you of that, it’s never a walkover,” he said.

“As they always have, I know the Burnley supporters will get behind the lads this season, and that support is needed now more than ever. For everything this club has been through in the last few years, it deserves to stay in the Premier League,” Walker said.