Oliver Burke

Oliver Jasen Burke (born 7 April 1997) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Sheffield United, and the Scotland national team.

For the priest, see Oliver Burke (priest). For the Irish barrister and historian, see Oliver J. Burke.

Oliver Burke
Burke with Nottingham Forest in 2016
Personal information
Full name Oliver Jasen Burke[1]
Date of birth (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997[2]
Place of birth Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Right winger, Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sheffield United
Number 14
Youth career
2004–2005 Mowbray Rangers
2005–2015 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Nottingham Forest 25 (6)
2015 → Bradford City (loan) 2 (0)
2016–2017 RB Leipzig 25 (1)
2017–2020 West Bromwich Albion 20 (0)
2019 → Celtic (loan) 14 (4)
2019–2020 → Alavés (loan) 31 (1)
2020– Sheffield United 16 (1)
National team‡
2015–2016 Scotland U19 6 (1)
2017 Scotland U20 4 (2)
2017–2018 Scotland U21 9 (4)
2016– Scotland 13 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 January 2021

He came through the academy at Nottingham Forest, signing a professional contract in September 2014 and making his debut the following February. In August 2016, Burke signed for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £13 million, a record fee for a Scottish player.[3] A year later, having helped Leipzig to runners-up position in the league, he returned to England by signing for West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £15 million. Following an unsuccessful few years at West Bromwich Albion, in September 2020, Burke joined Sheffield United in a swap deal involving Callum Robinson.

Club career

Nottingham Forest

Burke was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, but grew up in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,[4] where he joined local club Mowbray Rangers aged eight.[5] After one season at the club, he was scouted to join Nottingham Forest's Academy where he progressed for the next nine years.[6] Burke signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest on 19 September 2014,[7] before making his professional debut as an 87th-minute substitute during a 3–1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on 24 September.[8] He made his league debut on 14 February 2015 as a 64th-minute substitute in a 4–4 draw away to Blackpool.[9]

Burke was sent on a month-long loan to League One club Bradford City on 24 February.[10][11] He made his debut for them on the same day, playing for 75 minutes in a 2–1 loss away to Swindon Town.[12] Burke made another start on 28 February in a 2–0 loss against Peterborough United[13] and appeared twice as an unused substitute before returning to his parent club.[14] After his loan spell at Bradford City came to an end, Burke signed a three-year contract with Forest.[15]

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Burke signed another three-year contract with the club on 29 July.[16] Burke played for the club's reserves until December when he was called up to the first team by manager Dougie Freedman, who Burke considered his mentor.[17] On 29 December, Burke scored his first goal for Forest from a curling shot hit with the outside of his right foot against Cardiff City. His goal opened the scoring at the Cardiff City Stadium nine minutes into the game, which ended 1–1.[18] Burke scored his second goal for the club on 16 January 2016 in a 3–0 win over Bolton Wanderers.[19] His performance once again earned a contract extension on a four-year deal on 29 February.[20] Burke ended the 2015–16 season having made twenty-one appearances in all competitions and scoring twice.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season Burke made an impression in the pre-season friendlies, scoring three times in six matches.[21] Under the new management of Philippe Montanier, Burke scored in the opening game of the season, a 4–3 win over Burton Albion,[22] and scored a brace two weeks later against Wigan Athletic.[23] Burke scored on his final appearance for Forest on 27 August, a 3–1 defeat of Leeds United.[24] Burke's early season form and performances attracted the interest of leading European and Premier League clubs, such as Bayern Munich, Manchester United,[25] Sunderland and Liverpool.[26] However, Montanier dismissed suggestions of Burke leaving Forest.[27]

RB Leipzig

On 28 August 2016, in a move that caused outrage among Forest supporters, who criticised the club's owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi,[28] Burke joined newly promoted Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[29] The deal was reported by BBC Sport to be worth around £13 million, which set a new record for a transfer involving a Scottish player.[30]

On his debut for Leipzig, a home Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund on 10 September, Burke came on after 69 minutes in place of Yussuf Poulsen and provided an assist for Naby Keïta to score the only goal.[31] Fifteen days later he opened the scoring in a 1–1 draw at 1. FC Köln, becoming the first Scot to score in Germany's top flight since Brian O'Neil for VfL Wolfsburg in November 1999.[32]

Despite this early impact, Burke was regularly used as a substitute by Leipzig.[33] Their coaching staff praised his physical attributes, but questioned his tactical awareness.[34]

West Bromwich Albion

Burke returned to English football on 25 August 2017, moving to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion for a reported fee of £15 million,[33] breaking his own record as the most expensive Scottish footballer.[35] He signed a five-year contract at the West Midlands club.[33] Burke said that he chose West Bromwich Albion as a way to have more game time, even though with Leipzig he could play in the Champions League.[36]

He made his debut two days later, replacing goalscorer Jay Rodriguez for the final two minutes of a 1–1 home draw against Stoke City.[37] Owing to hamstring injury, he made only one other substitute appearance by mid-November and took part with the under-21 team in the EFL Trophy, scoring in a 2–1 group stage defeat at Coventry City on 7 November.[38]

On 14 August 2018, Burke scored his first goal for the Baggies, the game's only in a home win over Luton Town in the first round of the EFL Cup.[39] He made only six total appearances in the first half of the season, of which three were in the Championship, all from the bench.[40]

Burke moved on loan to Celtic on 5 January 2019 until the end of the season.[41] He made his debut two weeks later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–0 home win over Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup.[42] On 23 January, his Scottish Premiership debut, he played as a striker in the absence of Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Édouard and netted twice in a 3–0 win at Celtic Park, his first league goals since September 2016.[43]

Loan to Alavés

On 30 August 2019, Burke was loaned to La Liga club Alavés for the season.[44] Burke made his debut for his new club in their 1–0 defeat to Sevilla on 15 September.[45] He scored his first goal for Alavés in a 2–1 La Liga win over Eibar on 7 February 2020.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United signed Burke from West Brom in September 2020, with Callum Robinson moving in the opposite direction.[46] Burke signed a three-year contract with the Blades.[46] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 away league win over Manchester United on 27 January 2021, clinching the Blades' first league win over the Red Devils since 1992 and their first win at Old Trafford in Premier League history, as their last victory there took place in 1973.[47]

International career

Burke was eligible to play for England in addition to Scotland, having been brought up south of the border from a young age, but he opted to play for his country of birth.[5][48] He was first called up by Scotland U19 and scored on his debut for the team, a 3–1 win against Mexico U18, on 6 October 2015. He went on to make six appearance for the side.[49]

Burke received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad on 10 March 2016 for their friendly match against Denmark.[50] He made his debut as an 82nd-minute substitute for goalscorer Matt Ritchie in the 1–0 win at Hampden Park 19 days later.[51] He was left out of the full squad in June 2017 and was instead selected for an under-20 squad in the 2017 Toulon Tournament.[52] In the first match there, Burke scored both Scotland goals in a 3–2 defeat against the Czech Republic.[52]

During the 2017–18 season, Burke was selected in the under-21 squad.[53] He made his debut at that level on 5 September, and he scored the first goal in a 2–0 win against the Netherlands.[54] In the 2018 Toulon Tournament, Burke scored goals against France[55] and South Korea[56] as Scotland finished in fourth place.[57] In the third-place play-off against Turkey, he was the only player to miss in the penalty shootout defeat, with Altay Bayındır saving his attempt.[57]

Burke was recalled to the full international squad in March 2019[58] and scored his first senior goal in Scotland's 2–1 victory over Cyprus on 8 June the same year.[59]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 2 Febraury 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nottingham Forest 2014–15[60] Championship 200010——30
2015–16[61] 1822010——212
2016–17[62] 54—20——74
Total 2562040——316
Bradford City (loan) 2014–15[60] League One 20————20
RB Leipzig 2016–17[62] Bundesliga 25100———251
2017–18[63] 0010—00—10
Total 25110—00—261
West Bromwich Albion 2017–18[63] Premier League 1501000——160
2018–19[64] Championship 3 0 0 0 2 1 — — 5 1
2019–20[64] 200010——30
Total 20 0 1 0 3 1 — — 24 1
West Bromwich Albion U21 2017–18[63] — ————2[lower-alpha 1]121
2018–19[64] — — — — — 1[lower-alpha 1] 0 1 0
Total — — — — 3 1 3 1
Celtic (loan) 2018–19[64] Scottish Premiership 14430—2[lower-alpha 2]0—194
Deportivo Alavés (loan) 2019-20[65] La Liga 3111000——321
Sheffield United 2020–21[65] Premier League 1512110——182
Career total 1321310181103115416
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. Appearance in UEFA Europa League

International
As of match played 9 January 2021 (UTC)[66][67]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 201640
201710
201961
202020
Total131

International goals
As of match played 8 June 2019. Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Burke goal.
International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 June 2019Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland Cyprus2–12–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

Honours

Club
Celtic

References
  1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  2. "Profile". 11v11. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  3. Oliver Burke: 'I feel like a proper footballer again, really good in myself' theguardian.com
  4. "Record breaking Oliver Burke reflects on manic few days". Scottish FA. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  5. "OTPN INTERVIEW – Oliver Burke – Nottingham Forest". Off the Post News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  6. "Scout Report: Oliver Burke – Nottingham Forest F.C.'s Ace in the Hole". Outside of the Boot. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  7. "Melton footballer Ollie makes Nottingham Forest debut at Spurs". The Melton Times. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  8. "Tottenham 3–1 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  9. "Blackpool 4–4 Nott'm Forest". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  10. "Nottingham Forest starlet joining Bantams on loan". Telegraph and Argus. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  11. "Bantams loan move for Burke". Nottingham Forest F.C. 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  12. "Swindon Town 2 – 1 Bradford City". BBC Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  13. "Peterborough United 2 – 0 Bradford City". BBC Sport. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  14. "City secure McMahon loan move". Bradford City A.F.C. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  15. "Oliver Burke signs new Nottingham Forest contract". Sky Sports. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  16. "New deal for Burke". Nottingham Forest F.C. 29 July 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  17. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rb-leipzig-star-oliver-burke-10975349
  18. "Cardiff City 1–1 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  19. "Nottingham Forest 3 – 0 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  20. "Burke signs new deal". Nottingham Forest F.C. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  21. "Who could be Nottingham Forest's Next Oliver Burke?". Nottingham Post. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  22. "Nottingham Forest 4–3 Burton: Britt Assombalonga strike settles thriller". Sky Sports. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  23. "Thomas Lam clinches dramatic 4–3 win for Nottingham Forest over Wigan Athletic". Nottingham Post. 20 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
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  32. "1. FC Köln 1–1 RB Leipzig". BBC Sport. 25 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
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  35. "West Brom sign Scotland winger Oliver Burke in record £15m deal". Eurosport. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
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  37. Ames, Nick (27 August 2017). "West Brom 1–1 Stoke". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
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  39. "West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Luton Town". 14 August 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  40. "Oliver Burke signs for Celtic on six-month loan deal from West Brom". MSN. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  41. "Oliver Burke: Celtic sign Scotland winger on loan from West Brom". BBC Sport. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  42. Doyle, Chris (19 January 2019). "Celtic vs Airdrie - Five things we learned as Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke make Hoops debut in Scottish Cup win". Belfast Live. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  43. Waddell, Gordon (23 January 2019). "Celtic 4 St Mirren 0 as Oliver Burke announces his arrival with deadly double – 3 talking points". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
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  45. "Alaves 0 – 1 Sevilla". Sky Sports. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  46. "Oliver Burke joins Sheffield United, Callum Robinson moves to West Brom in swap deal". Sky Sports. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
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  49. "International round-up". Nottingham Forest F.C. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  50. "Scotland: Six new call-ups for Czech Republic and Denmark friendlies". BBC Sport. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  51. "Scotland 1–0 Denmark". BBC Sport. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  52. "Czech Republic U20s 3–2 Scotland U20s". BBC Sport. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  53. Crawford, Kenny (6 September 2017). "Oliver Burke proud to help Scotland U21s after scoring debut as captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  54. Crawford, Kenny (5 September 2017). "Scotland U21 2–0 Netherlands U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  55. "Toulon Tournament: Oliver Burke scores as Scotland under-21s stun hosts France". BBC Sport. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  56. "Scotland U21s 2–1 South Korea U20s: Gilmour & Burke score in Toulon Tournament win". BBC Sport. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  57. "Scotland Under-21s pay penalty as Turkey take third at Toulon Tournament". BBC Sport. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  58. McLauchlin, Brian (13 March 2019). "Oliver Burke: Celtic forward says 'future a little bit out of my hands'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  59. Esplin, Ronnie (9 June 2019). "Scotland vs Cyprus result: Euro 2020 qualifying hopes still alive after last-gasp win says John McGinn". The Independent. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  60. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  61. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  62. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  63. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  64. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  65. "Games played by Oliver Burke in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  66. "Burke, Oliver". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  67. Oliver Burke at the Scottish Football Association
  68. "Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic: Neil Lennon's side secure eighth consecutive Scottish title". BBC Sport. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
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