On Wednesday, South African forward Lyle Foster completed a stunning move to English side Burnley, signing a four-and-half year deal from Belgian side KVC Westerlo. The 22-year old Bafana Bafana international had previously come through the academy at Orlando Pirates and earned a move to French giants Monaco in 2019.
Lyle Foster is set to become South Africa’s most expensive Player.
Burnley have agreed to a £6.2 million deal for his switch from Belgian club, KVC Westerlo.
The transfer fee will increase to £8.8 million if they gain promotion to the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/tdYIdw96GU
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 25, 2023
In his first interview at the club, Foster revealed how he felt when he learned that Burnley were interested in his services. “My agent rang me up and told me there’s interest from Burnley and from that moment my heart and the head were set on the club,” he said. “I counted down the days to get here, I’m so happy to be here.”
The Soweto native also gave a brief summary of his journey, which included loan spells at Belgian side Cercle Brugge and Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes, before a second stint at Westerlo on a permanent transfer. When asked what appealed him the most about the opportunity to join Vincent Kompany’s charges, Foster explained that South Africans follow English football the most in the European leagues and his career has basically come full circle.
“Where I’m from in South Africa English football in general is the league we all follow so for me as a kid growing up it was always a dream to come to England,” he said. “When I got the call that Burnley wanted me it felt a bit unreal and ja it’s a childhood dream coming through, I’m so happy to be here.”
