What Burnley FC have said about CJ Egan-Riley leaving Turf Moor | OneFootball

The 22-year-old is set to move to France this summer

Burnley have announced that CJ Egan-Riley will be departing Turf Moor this summer, despite the club offering him a "significant long-term contract."

It was always a harsh inevitability that the Clarets wouldn't be starting the season with the defensive trio of James Trafford, Maxime Esteve and Egan-Riley, despite promotion, and the first piece of that inpenetrable triangle is set to depart, for free no less.

Egan-Riley's emergence into the first team at Burnley this season was unexpected, given that the 22-year-old had made just six appearances for Scott Parker's side before the 2024/25 campaign. It meant that, with his contract up at the end of the season, tying him down to a new deal would be difficult to do.

And after an impressive campaign, that has proven to be a task too tall, as the former Manchester City youngster is set to take his talents to France, with Marseille set to bring him in on a three-year deal.

Burnley react to CJ Egan-Riley's departure

CJ Egan-Riley's departure was just reliable speculation before Burnley themselves released a statement confirming his decision to leave on June 11.

It read, "Burnley Football Club can confirm that it has been informed by the representatives of CJ Egan-Riley [...] that the defender has now formally rejected the club's offer of a significant long-term contract with the club.

"Despite the club's commitment to securing CJ's long-term future and the substantial investment offered, CJ has made the decision to pursue an opportunity in France."

Whilst his new club hasn't been revealed just yet, Foot Mercato have reported that it will be Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille who will be the beneficiaries of the 22-year-old's decision to leave Turf Moor, despite reports earlier in the off-season linking him to Strasbourg.

Les Phocéens finished runners-up to the dominant European champions PSG in Ligue 1 last season, and require defensive reinforcement ahead of their return to the Champions League after one season away.

Burnley went on to wish Egan-Riley well at his new club before stating that they are now focusing on improving the squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

"Burnley FC would like to take this opportunity to thank CJ for his contribution to the team during his time at the club, particularly last season, where he became a key part of our record-breaking defence. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

"The club remains focused on strengthening the squad as we look ahead to the forthcoming Premier League season, and further announcements will be made in due course," the statement concluded.

Losing CJ Egan-Riley for free is a big error ahead of Premier League return

Whilst it is hard to blame CJ Egan-Riley for wanting to swap a likely Premier League relegation battle for a side challenging at the top of Ligue 1 and in the Champions League, losing him for free must be a real cause for frustration among Burnley supporters.

The 22-year-old is one of England's bright, young stars and would have likely commanded a sizable fee if he were under contract, all of which would represent profit for the club after they themselves brought Egan-Riley in for free four years ago after his Manchester City contract ended.

However, given his lack of contribution to the Clarets' side before the 2024/25 season, you can understand why he wasn't offered a new deal before the campaign began, as he wasn't even a fringe player before this season; he was an afterthought.

Egan-Riley was sent out on loan twice during his time at Turf Moor and made his first league start for Burnley this season. No one envisioned his rapid growth this term, and Scott Parker's side have paid the price for it.

Not only have they lost one of the key members of their promoted side, but they've lost the opportunity to use any incoming fees to strengthen the squad significantly ahead of what will be a tough return to the Premier League.