Premier League new boys Burnley announce fourth signing in a week

Premier League new boys Burnley (11/8 chances to stay up) have announced the signings of striker Marvin Sordell from Bolton and midfielder Matt Taylor on a free transfer, after leaving West Ham. This follows the arrivals of Michael Kightly and Matt Gilks days before.

The Lancashire club said on their official website: “Burnley Football Club is delighted to announce the double signing of former Bolton Wanderers striker Marvin Sordell and ex-West Ham midfielder Matt Taylor, subject to approval.

“Sordell has agreed a deal that could keep him at Turf Moor until 2017, while Taylor has penned a two-year deal.”

While 32-year-old Taylor comes on a free transfer, former England Under-21 international Sordell, 23, who also played for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, signs for an undisclosed fee.

Sordell went on loan to Charlton last term, and managed eight goals in all competitions, but now Bolton have decided to cash in on the forward who scored four times in 25 league games for them.

In Taylor, Burnley sign a man with plenty of Premier League experience. He has managed over 300 appearances in England’s top-flight for the like of Portsmouth, Bolton and West Ham, and played 20 times for the Hammers last season.

Despite Taylor and Sordell being former Trotters employers, they were not at the club at the same time, missing each other by a season.

But they link up now at Turf Moor along with fellow recent recruits Kightly and keeper Gilks. The winger, 28, was on loan at the Clarets last season from Stoke City, helping them gain promotion, but now signs permanently on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Gilks, meanwhile, has penned a two-year contract after his deal expired at Blackpool. The 32-year-old three-time Scotland intentional was first choice stopper for the Tangerines the last three seasons, but will now challenge Tom Heaton for a starting place in goal.

Burnley start their 2014/15 Premier League campaign at home to title favourites Chelsea (7/4) on August 16th as they return to the top-flight for the first time since the 2009/10 season. The Clarets went down that year, and are odds-on at 1/2 to get relegated again.