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Why John Egan's transfer move from Burnley to Hull City left Scott Parker 'gutted'

-Credit:PA
-Credit:PA


Burnley head coach Scott Parker has revealed he was "gutted" to lose John Egan to Hull City on transfer deadline day. The Republic of Ireland international was snapped up by the Tigers for an undisclosed fee, penning an 18-month contract with the Championship strugglers.

Egan left the Clarets five months into a season-long deal, having found game time hard to come by at Turf Moor. The former Sheffield United defender was keen to move on in the winter transfer window in search of regular first team football after making just two starts and six substitute appearances for Parker's side this season.

“He’s probably been unlucky, John,” Parker told the Burnley Express. “Firstly, it’s important for me to say that John had been nothing short of incredible for me as a coach. That’s the biggest compliment I can give John.

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“He was unlucky in terms of what was in front of him and how well the backline was doing, but everything I spoke to John about when he first came in was about what I needed from him and how the situation may look for him.

“I needed to know that I had an incredible professional there and one that would drive a young group in CJ (Egan-Riley) and Maxi (Maxime Esteve). I think John takes huge responsibility for what those other boys are doing.

“One, he was pushing them daily because they knew the quality, what was coming in behind them, along with Joe Worrall as well. But secondly, driving these young players, helping them, improving them…I'm gutted John's left to be quite honest with you.

“Fundamentally, he’s a very good human being that holds some real core values. I see that every day in him. He’s someone who drove a culture here, which was everything I wanted him to be.

“But with three months left on his contract and the security, plus he’s going to play football, so that meant I couldn’t stand in his way. While I'd like to have, that probably wasn't the right thing to do from my side. He leaves the club with our blessing and someone that, like I said, I’m really pleased what he did for us.”

Egan is in line to make his City debut against his former club when Ruben Selles' team visit Turf Moor on Wednesday.