Manchester United have agreed to sell defender Michael Keane to Burnley on a permanent basis, as reported by burnleyfootballclub.com.

Keane has spent the first half of the season on loan at the Lancashire club, having joined them on loan on transfer deadline day in September.

He has gone on to make 11 appearances for the Clarets, forming a formidable partnership with Jason Shackell, Burnley’s skipper, in the heart of defence.

Moving permanently ends a long association with Man Utd for Keane.

He started his career with the Manchester side, and made his professional debut for them in 2011.

This came against Aldershot Town in the League Cup.

However, the story of his career has mainly been told in the form of loan spells at lower league sides.

He spent the 2012/13 season on loan at Leicester City, playing 27 times.

Keane also had loan spells at both Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, before linking up with Burnley this season.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is delighted by the acquisition, and said: “Michael is a good young player and we see a lot of development in him as he’s on a good pathway at the moment and we’re delighted that he has decided to join us.”