Andre Gray has left Burnley.
Gray has joined Watford for a club record fee, believed to be in the region of £18.5m, and has signed a five year contract with the Premier League side.
🖊 | #watfordfc have completed the signing of @AndreGray7 from @BurnleyOfficial for a club record fee.
Info ➡ https://t.co/TXGEVaGDBD pic.twitter.com/YRfH7X823X
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 9, 2017
The 26-year-old has become Marco Silva’s latest summer signing. Watford have already completed deals for Tom Cleverly, Will Hughes, Nathaniel Chalobah and Brazilian forward Richarlison this summer.
But, according to Paul Merson, they’re destined for the drop this season.
Merse still has beef with Marco https://t.co/HzVHAi4SrS
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) August 8, 2017
Gray had 12 months remaining on his contract with Burnley, and could have left on a free transfer next summer.
The striker joined the club from Brentford in 2015, and scored 33 goals in 78 games, helping them earn promotion from the Championship and secure their Premier League status last season.
Gray scored nine Premier League goals last season, one behind the club’s top scorer Sam Vokes. His departure leaves Sean Dyche short of options up front. Burnley claim in their statement on the transfer that they offered the player a new contract, but he wasn’t interested in extending his stay at Turf Moor.
“Burnley Football Club can confirm the sale of striker Andre Gray to Watford for an undisclosed fee that ranks as one of the biggest in the club’s history. The Clarets gave Gray the chance to extend his stay at Turf Moor with the offer of a substantially improved new contract earlier this summer. However, the former England C international made it clear he would not be looking to renew a deal which had just 12 months still to run. Burnley therefore took the decision to accept an offer from Watford and move forward with their own plans going into the new Premier League season. Gray, 26, joined Burnley from Brentford in August, 2015 and finished as top scorer in his first season to help Sean Dyche’s side win the Championship title and seal an instant return to the top tier. The former Luton Town forward followed up his 23 goals in 2015/16 with 10 last season, including nine in the Premier League and a first top-flight hat-trick for the Clarets since 1975 when he scored three times in a New Year’s Eve win over Sunderland. Burnley Football Club thanks Andre for his contribution during his time at Turf Moor and wishes him well in the future.”
At first glance, it appears to be a standard statement released by a club when a player departs.
However, Burnley referred to Gray as a “former England C international, which isn’t exactly the most glamorous of accolades. The England C team consists of non-league players, and the striker played for the team during his time in non-league football with Luton Town between 2012 and 2014.
Many on social media thought Burnley were taking a dig at Gray.
Amazing dig by Burnley in regards to Andre Grey referring to him as a "former England C international" in their statement 😂
— Thackary Binx (@riley652799) August 9, 2017
Amazing dig by Burnley in the statement they released… "former England C international" pic.twitter.com/ogDtmjax1i
— Thackary Binx (@riley652799) August 9, 2017
Burnley released a statement calling Andre Gray a 'former England C International'. I'm in bits.
— Charlie Robery (@CharlieRobery) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/CianByNature/status/895304953601736704
Burnley have had a right go at Andre Gray in that statement "the former England C international"
— Mac Grimes (@6dutch) August 9, 2017
Others tipped Burnley as relegation certainties following the transfer.
Burnley sell Andre Gray? Are they trying to get relegated?
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) August 9, 2017
Burnley have just relegated themselves for me, poor summer for them.
Keane Sold
Gray Sold
Walters as replacement is poor ✍🏻#burnleyfc— Ryan Hozza (@hollovaux) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/John5tones/status/895315380708585473
Got to admire Burnley taking a stance against modern football by deciding they're going to get relegated this season.
— Joe Brewin (@Joe_Brewin_) August 9, 2017
