BURTON Albion Football Club is delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Burnley midfielder Mark Helm.
Mark is a versatile midfielder who operates mostly as a playmaker but can also play as a box-to-box or in a slightly deeper role. The 21 year-old joined the Clarets from Manchester United in search of regular first-team football, and now joins the Brewers with the same intentions.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me,” said Mark. “It’s a chance to play in League One, and I’m looking forward to getting going on Saturday and helping the team out as much as I can.
“I started off at United when I was seven and left when I was 19, but the last year-and-a-half I’ve been at Burnley, which has been good for my development. I’ve enjoyed playing at Under-23 level but I think I’m at that stage where I’m ready for senior football.
“The lads set a good standard, they’re a good set of lads with a good set of values and they’ve been really welcoming towards me. The training has been good, I’m fitting in really well with the squad.
“I play as an 8 or as a 10, I get on the ball and try and make things happen or I drop a bit deeper and keep it ticking. I’m a fighter, I work hard for the ball. I want to help the team win as many games as possible whilst continuing to develop as a professional footballer. I can’t wait to get stuck in there and get going.”
Having spent 12 years at Manchester United, he left the club in the summer of 2021. In his time with the Red Devils, he represented them at U18 and U21 levels, before signing for Burnley in the summer of 2021.
Full of energy and desire, the former United youngster played nearly every minute for Burnley’s U23 side last season, missing only the opening fixture in the Premier League 2 and playing 90 minutes on 25 out of a possible 26 occasions.
Manager Dino Maamria said: “I have watched him many times playing for Burnley U23s. He’s a top midfield player who can do everything. He’s technically really good and came through Manchester United’s youth set-up. He has been training with us for the past nine days so we can have a closer look at him and he showed us what he could do every time.
“It was important for us to make the deal permanent as we are building for the future of the football club. He will play now for sure and help us pick up points but he’s also a long-term project for us as well.
“He’s an attacking midfielder, a creative player. He will complement Deji and Terry and give us quality in the attacking third and will help us get goals. I’m sure he will excite the fans.”
The midfielder has signed a contract running until the summer of 2024 and will wear squad number 17. Welcome to Burton Albion, Mark!