Ex-Burnley and Sheffield United star Matt Lowton lands new job in Dubai | OneFootball

Former Sheffield United right-back Matt Lowton left Burnley in 2023 - he's now landed at a relative unknown club in Phoenix United

One of Sheffield United's most successful academy graduates of the 21st century when it comes to appearing in Premier League football has not featured on British shores since 2023, with his time in English football appearing to be done.

Only Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Phil Jagielka can profess to have come through the Blades youth system and played more top flight football than Matt Lowton, who appeared 89 times for his boyhood club - none of which came in the Premier League.

Matt Lowton had successful top flight career after Sheffield United exit

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After time spent out on loan in Hungary with Ferencvaros, Lowton's breakthrough came when United were struggling on the pitch in the Championship in 2010-11, and a full season in League One the following campaign saw Aston Villa take note, snapping him up for £3 million.

Much of Lowton's career though was spent at Burnley, where he would stay for eight years between 2015 and 2023, racking up 203 appearances for the Clarets in his time at Turf Moor - 159 of which came in the Premier League.

Since his departure from Burnley on a free transfer in 2023 though, following a short stint on loan at Huddersfield Town, Lowton has kept a low profile, with his next move a few months later being a surprise arrival at Witton Albion in English football's eighth tier.

Despite being in his mid-30's, Lowton would play regularly for the Cheshire-based outfit, but since the summer of 2024, the right-back has been experiencing a new challenge.

Matt Lowton lands new non-playing football job after EFL exit in 2023

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Lowton was snapped up by Dubai-based Precision Football, who were only founded the year prior, and were plying their trade in the UAE Second Division League (the third tier of their pyramid) when the defender arrived.

He departed that particular club though in 2025, and despite not officially announcing a retirement at any stage, it looks as though he may have hung up his boots based on his latest movements.

It has now been announced that Lowton has become an assistant coach of another Dubai-based club, this time though it's Phoenix United, who are in the Third Division of the pyramid, and they are unique in a sense that they provide both a footballing contract as well as education, with accredited university degrees on offer for players.

Former Premier League winner Danny Simpson is an ambassador, and managing the club is none other than EFL stalwart Jamie Ward - who played for Sheffield United with Lowton, whilst also playing together at Precision.

Matt Lowton looks to be carving out a successful post-playing career

The decision to drop into non-league with Witton Albion in 2023 would certainly have been a shock to fans of Lowton's old clubs, but the decision to head to Dubai definitely isn't a surprise nowdays.

There are plenty of business and football opportunities out there for pros who are coming towards the end of their careers at the top level, and it looks like Lowton himself, away from football, is part of a cluster of former EFL players that are involved in the consultancy business 'Onside'.

Having played at the top level of English football for 10 years with Aston Villa and Burnley, Lowton will have earned a tidy sum from his on-field career, but given he appears to be very much involved in business as well as sport over in the UAE, he's not someone you can imagine returning to the EFL to become a manager or coach in the near future.