Football: Burnley sign goalkeeper Lindegaard as cover for injured Heaton

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was a free agent after being released by Preston North End in May and had been training at the club.
PHOTO: FACEBOOK/OFFICIAL.LINDEGAARD

LONDON (REUTERS) - Burnley have signed Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard until the end of the season following a shoulder injury to first-choice Tom Heaton, the Premier League club said on Thursday (Sept 21).

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Lindegaard was a free agent after being released by Preston North End in May and had been training at the club.

Free agents can be signed by a club at any time during the season if they were released by their previous club before the end of the transfer window.

"I've had a good week here and I've had a very good impression of the whole club and all the people here. It's not hard to fit in nicely here," the 33-year-old told Burnley's website (www.burnleyfootballclub.com).

"It seems like an honest place and a very hardworking place and I appreciate being a part of it... I am here to try and sharpen up the competition in the goalkeepers' department and we'll see what happens down the line."

Club captain Heaton dislocated his shoulder against Crystal Palace on Sept 10 and had surgery last week.

Nick Pope came on as a substitute for Heaton in the 1-0 win over Palace and kept his place for the 1-1 Premier League draw at Liverpool last weekend and Tuesday's penalty shoot-out League Cup defeat by Leeds United.

"I have seen the first two games Nick has played and he's done very well. I have a lot of respect for that," Lindegaard said.

Burnley, who have started the season strongly with two wins and two draws in their first five games, host Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

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