York City have signed young centre-back Jonathan Burn on a one-month-loan deal from Bristol Rovers
The 22-year-old joins the Minstermen after making only four appearances in total for the Pirates, three of which have come this season in the Football League Trophy.
Darlington-born Burn came through the youth system at Sunderland, before joining Middlesbrough on professional terms in 2013.
Despite becoming the under 23-captain, there was no pathway into the first team for the player in his four-year spell at the Tyneside club.
His best footballing experiences came while on loan from Boro. He made a total of 20 appearences in two loan periods away from the club, firstly for Oldham Athletic in 2015, where he scored his only career goal in a 1-1 draw against Doncaster.
Burn’s second loan spell was at Scottish side Kilmarnock in 2016. He made 8 appearences, including a man-of-the-match performence in front of the TV cameras, where Killie held Rangers to a 1-1 draw.
‘He’s a leader’
Burn will be drafted into a City defence that has not kept a clean sheet in 13 matches and York City manager Martin Gray is hopeful that the addition will help to fill in the defensive cracks.
Speaking to the club’s website, he highlighted the player’s strong points and the importance of suring up City’s defensive options:
I watched him a lot during his time as Middlesborough Under 23 captain. He’s a leader – very aggresive, but he can also play as well.
I don’t feel like we had great support for the central defensive positions. The centre halves have done well, but if one got injured or suspended, I didn’t really feel there was any back-up.
Its only healthy for competition to have an extra body there and hopefully it can benefit all of us.
– Martin Gray
The inital deal for Burn is until January 6th, but the player is hopeful that a string of starts at centre half will lead to a more permanent deal.
The 6ft defender is also confident that should a permanent move come his way in January, he can help the club to promotion to the National League.
As soon as an opportunity came for a month’s loan, I was up for it straight away.
I am a strong centre half. I like to play, but only when the time’s right. I can bring quite a lot to the team and hopefully bring the clean sheets that are needed.
Obviously, if I am doing well and I am playing week-in, week-out, I would think about a permanent move. Hopefully I can push York into the play-offs and get promoted. Thats the aim.
– Jonathon Burn
What do Bristol fans think?
Only time will tell if the young loanee can improve City’s defensive problems. But what do the Bristol supporters think of the player? Here’s some fans’ feedback…