Charlie Austin spent his first two and a half seasons at Turf Moor making an impression for Burnley.
Austin was playing for Swindon Town in League One when he drew Burnley’s attention. Before scoring 12 goals in the first half of the 2010–11 season, the striker scored 20 goals in the third division to help Swindon go to the play-off final in 2010.
After just a season and a half at the County Ground, the talented forward lodged a transfer request due to interest from teams in the higher divisions. He had previously played for non-league Poole Town.
Austin signed for Burnley
Austin was 21 years old in January 2011 and was being pursued by several teams for a contract. Blackpool, Southampton, Burnley, and Ipswich Town were all prepared to cover Swindon’s £1.5 million asking price for Austin’s departure.
Despite Blackpool’s Premier League status, it appeared as though Ipswich had the upper hand in acquiring the prolific attacker, who was expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract at Portman Road. Austin went to Ipswich to complete the transfer, but the team was unable to come to an agreement with the striker.
Austin received bids from Blackpool and Southampton as well, but he ultimately signed with Burnley.
Austin starred at Turf Moor
Burnley, who signed Austin, will be happy that they prevailed in the race for him. In claret and blue, he performed with Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche.
With 40 league goals in his two full seasons at Turf Moor, the attacker was a real headache for Championship defences thanks to his muscular presence and finishing prowess. Burnley finished in the middle of the table both seasons.
In a 5-1 victory against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in 2012, Austin scored a remarkable hat-trick. Later that year, in a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor, he scored another one.
In a 2013 match at The Valley versus Charlton Athletic, he scored one of his better goals for the Clarets when a long-range shot went into the top corner to give the away team a 1-0 victory.
Austin’s form attracted transfer interest
Austin’s 24 Championship goals in 2012/13 piqued interest in the striker during the summer transfer window.
Hull City, newly promoted to the Premier League, agreed to pay Burnley £4.5 million to recruit Austin, but the deal fell through after the striker failed his medical with the Tigers. Austin eventually signed with fellow Championship club Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount.
Burnley’s choice to buy Austin paid off on the pitch, but they also likely made a profit on the original deal when he was sold, given the sum Hull were expected to pay initially.
Burnley and QPR were both promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2013/14 season, with Austin scoring 19 goals in the second division.
He scored twice against Burnley in the next season’s Premier League, and twice more throughout his career, which included stints with Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
However, he will be remembered more warmly at Turf Moor for his excellent goal-scoring abilities while at the club. Burnley will be relieved that his move to Ipswich failed, since they were able to recruit the striker back in the January transfer window in 2011.
