Ashley Barnes didn’t have to think twice before leaving Norwich City to help Burnley return to the Premier League.
Barnes and the Canaries mutually agreed to terminate his contract in January, allowing him to go back to Turf Moor as a free agent after 18 months in Norfolk.
He subsequently played 13 games, 12 of them from the bench, as Scott Parker’s Clarets comfortably finished in the Championship top two, adding a fourth promotion to his considerable CV at Burnley.
The 35-year-old revealed that his winter return was a no-brainer, looking back on the move during the promotion celebrations.
“It’s an incredible feeling to see all of your faces again,” he said, speaking to Burnley fans. “I didn’t think I’d ever come back, especially this soon, but I’m delighted to be back now. You’re all family to me.
“I had every belief in the team and the gaffer. Once I spoke to the gaffer, it was just an easy decision to rip up my contract at Norwich and obviously get back as quickly as possible to the Clarets.”
While once-Norwich loanee Parker played a role in Barnes’ signing, it was also the signing of fellow striker Jay Rodriguez by Wrexham that opened the door to a leadership role for him.
“I spoke to the gaffer about what he wanted me to help with: the dressing room, the lads and obviously play my part too,” he continued. “First and foremost, I was coming back here to play football and fight for competition.
“Unfortunately Jay Rodriguez left us, which was rubbish, but fair play to him, he’s got two promotions in one season now, so I’m absolutely delighted for him. But obviously that paved the way for me to help out and be a big character in the dressing room.
“It was an easy decision once I had spoken to the gaffer and the chairman, and we did everything possible to make it happen.”
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