Ashley Barnes sends message to Burnley FC supporters after Norwich City switch | OneFootball

Ashley Barnes had a message to Burnley supporters after completing a move from Norwich City

Ashley Barnes has sent a message to Burnley supporters after making a surprise return to the club in the January transfer window.

Barnes' nine-year stay at Turf Moor came to an end in the summer of 2023 when he joined Norwich City but the veteran striker has made a shock return to the Lancashire just 18 months later.

The 35-year-old made 293 appearances for the Clarets, scoring 55 goals and helping them to three promotions to the Premier League, before he was released following their 2022/23 Championship title-winning campaign.

However, he's returned to Turf Moor on a short-term loan until the end of the season after leaving Norwich City, and he's set to make his Clarets return this weekend as his side travel to Ewood Park to face bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Barnes is a cult hero at Burnley thanks to his nine years of service at Turf Moor, and it's clear that he's delighted to have returned to the club where he enjoyed the best years of his career.

Barnes' Turf Moor return took a lot of people by surprise when it was announced late on Thursday night, but the Bath-born striker spoke about how much it meant to him to return to the club after 18 months away.

Speaking to Burnley's official website, Barnes said: "It feels fantastic to be back home! Burnley has been a massive part of my life for over a decade, and I can’t wait to pull on the Claret shirt again."

Having played in a number of Lancashire derbies against Blackburn Rovers, including one during the 2022/23 campaign where he scored a brace, the 35-year-old made it clear that he knew how much this weekend's fixture means, and it's clear he was up for the trip to Ewood Park.

He said: “I know how much this match means to the fans, it means just as much to me. They can rest assured I’ll be giving everything for this club every single time I’m wearing the Burnley badge.”

Burnley supporters will be delighted by Ashley Barnes' return

Whilst Barnes' best days are behind him, he's a fan favourite at Turf Moor and the 35-year-old will bring vast experience to Scott Parker's side as they look to make an immediate return to the top flight.

He might not be a regular starter, but having someone like Barnes on the bench will be a huge boost to the Clarets' promotion hopes during the second half of the season, and he's still a capable goalscorer at Championship level.

With three promotions to the Premier League with Burnley already under his belt, Barnes knows how to get out of the Championship, and the chance to make it four promotions with the Clarets was one that was too good to turn down.

A derby against Blackburn Rovers is the perfect way to mark his return, and knowing how much the fixture means to the club, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Barnes involved in some form on Saturday at Ewood Park.