British-born Ghanaian defender Richard Nartey is elated to sign for Premiership side Burnley as a free agent.
Nartey, 22, was released by Chelsea in July this year and was offered a chance by Burnley to train with them to keep in shape but has been able to impress the coaches to grab a deal.
“It’s a relief. After the whole Covid situation, I was just happy getting back into the swing of it,” Nartey stated after appending his signature to the one-year deal with an option for an extension
“Burnley let me come originally, just to get fit, which I was always grateful for, regardless. Now I’ve signed here is a great feeling for me.”
“Everyone here made me feel like I had been here for years. I felt comfortable settling down and they have been a huge help in making me feel comfortable up here.”
Richard Nartey played for Burton Albion on loan from Chelsea last season
Nartey played on loan at League 1 side Burton Albion last season from Chelsea and made 29 appearances, but his contract with Chelsea was not renewed.
“You reach an age at Chelsea where you want to break through.”
“The loan last year helped me a lot, but coming here with that family feeling I feel like I have a direction of where I’m going and progression. I think it’s a new chapter in my life,” he added.
Nartey was born in London to a Ghanaian father and a British mother but is yet to represent Ghana or England at any level.
He spent 11 years at Chelsea going through the age ranks up to the under-23 level before being released.