Lord of the Dance
O'Shea set for Burnley move
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O'Shea set for Burnley move

Dara O'Shea, the Republic of Ireland defender, is poised to make a return to the Premier League as Burnley has reached an agreement with West Brom for his transfer.

The Dubliner is scheduled to undergo a medical examination later today before joining his fellow Irish teammates Josh Cullen and Micheal Obafemi at Turf Moor.

Following their recent promotion to the Premier League after a season in the Championship, Vincent Kompany's Burnley is actively seeking to bolster their squad. O'Shea, who is considered one of West Brom's most valuable assets as the club no longer receives parachute payments, has been identified as a player who can strengthen their defensive line.

The 24-year-old has amassed over 100 appearances for the Baggies across various competitions and has even served as the team's captain.

Speaking earlier this year, Carlos Corberan, the West Brom manager, said he believed O'Shea could "thrive" in the Premier League.

"For me, he has been exceptional. I cannot have more positive words for a player than the words I have for him," he said. "Not only in the games – he's one player that never missed any training. He is one guy with a level of ambition that his character will help him make an amazing career, with no doubts.

"He competes always with one level, one exceptional level since I arrived at the club in every single game. This is not easy to do in the football world. Sometimes when you play many games in a row, you can lose the concentration or the desire, or fatigue can maybe beat the level of motivation and energy.

"But in any case, this has not happened with him. He has a level of desire to play, improve, to listen and be a better player, and that's why I know he will play at the highest level of football. He has done, and he will again."

While O'Shea suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the last nine matches of West Brom's Championship campaign last season, he successfully recovered in time to represent the Republic of Ireland in their recent Euro 2024 qualifiers. He played a part in Monday's 3-0 victory over Gibraltar and is seen as a key member of Stephen Kenny's squad.