Ben Mee to leave Burnley after 11 years amid Premier League interest

Ben Mee is to leave Burnley at the end of this contract after 11 years with the club after their relegation from the Premier League.

The captain was offered a new deal only towards the end of the season. Given Mee’s standing at Burnley, there was surprise an offer was not put on the table earlier, with priority instead given to a four-year extension for Sean Dyche, who signed it in September and was sacked as manager in April.

A number of Premier League clubs have shown interest in the experienced Mee, one of nine players in the final month of their contract at Burnley. The defender missed the last 13 games of the season after suffering a broken leg in the defeat by Leicester in March. Dyche described the injury as a “hairline fracture” but it was in fact a full fracture. After Dyche’s dismissal Mee joined the caretaker coaching staff, providing support to Mike Jackson and Paul Jenkins.

After relegation was confirmed on the final day, Mee stayed on the pitch and spent a lengthy period showing his appreciation to the fans.

He moved to Turf Moor on loan from Manchester City in 2011 and the deal was made permanent in January 2012. Mee, appointed captain in 2019, has played more than 340 games for Burnley, including seven seasons in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old’s departure will be a further blow to Burnley, who are also poised to lose Mee’s centre-back partner James Tarkowski on a free.