Burnley forward Luca Koleosho completes Paris FC loan move

Paris FC have signed Burnley forward Luca Koleosho on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old Italy youth international will join the promoted Ligue 1 club after a season-long loan to Spanish top-flight side Espanyo, in whom Burnley hold a majority stake, was cut short. The deal includes an option to buy.

Koleosho has amassed just 60 minutes in La Liga for Espanyol, with his only starts coming in the Copa del Rey against Atlètic Lleida and Atlantic Balearic Islands.

It means the striker’s football this season has been played chiefly for Silvio Baldini’s Italy under-21 side, for whom Koleosho has started five out of six European Championship qualifying games, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Luca Koleosho’s arrival announced by Paris FC

“Paris FC is pleased to announce the arrival of Luca Koleosho from Burnley,” read a club  statement. “The 21-year-old forward, who can play on either the right or left wing, has joined on loan with an option to buy until the end of the season.”

Paris FC are currently 15th in the Ligue 1 table, four points above the relegation places, with just 16 goals from 17 games.

Koleosho’s arrival was announced by Marco Neppe, the club’s sporting director, who hailed the attacker’s technical attributes and physicality.

Koleosho hailed as ‘energetic attacking player with great intensity’

“He is a very fast, energetic attacking player with great intensity, capable of causing problems for opposing defences both with and without the ball,” said Neppe. “His sporting qualities, personality, and the fact that he speaks French will help him adapt quickly.”

Koleosho, who has been assigned the No 24 shirt, is eligible to play immediately and could make his club debut at Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France on Monday night.

The forward has struggled to establish himself at Burnley since his £2.6m arrival from Espanyol in the summer of 2023. He made 15 Premier League appearances in his first season at Turf Moor, scoring in a 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, but subsequently suffered a knee injury that required surgery. 

What former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany said about Koleosho

Vincent Kompany, Burnley’s manager at the time, described Koleosho as “achieving a level of his own” before the injury, and was linked with a move for the player after leaving for Bayern Munich the following summer. The player also attracted interest from Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Wolves, who reportedly made a £20m bid for the player. The offer was declined, with Burnley apparently valuing the player at twice that amount. 

Koleosho went on to play 28 games in the Championship the following season, scoring twice as Burnley won automatic promotion under Scott Parker. While Koleosho earned praise from Parker for his commitment and work ethic, however, he was used sparingly towards the business end of the campaign. When it became clear that minutes could be similarly elusive in the Premier League, a loan return to Espanyol was agreed.

‘Everyone sees Luca’s quality’

“Everyone sees Luca’s quality,” said Parker. “It probably comes down to game time and this being something Luca wanted. He wanted guaranteed game time, and I can’t guarantee him that, so it was probably best for all parties.”

Koleosho will now attempt to revive his fortunes in the French capital, where Paris FC have also been linked with an audacious move for Al-Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kanté.

“Burnley Football Club can confirm that Luca Koleosho has joined Paris FC on loan,” the Premier League side announced in a statement. “The deal is subject to international clearance.”