Harrison Burke completes permanent transfer to Walsall
Chester FC can confirm that Harrison Burke has completed a permanent transfer to League Two side Walsall for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old moves up to the EFL for a significant transfer sum, ending a decade-long association with his hometown club.
From Dodleston, Burke first joined our Academy as an Under-13 and penned his first senior contract with the Blues in October 2020. After a productive loan spell with Clitheroe the following campaign, Harrison then marked his full Seals debut with a stunning strike in a 5-0 win over Southport in February 2022, which was named our Goal of the Season.
Harrison would cement himself as a crucial figure in the defence over the last three seasons, culminating in a magnificent 2024/25 campaign. He made 52 appearances and provided an incredible return of 13 goals from centre back.
League recognition would see ‘Burkey’ named in the National League North Team of the Season – having already won our CFU Player of the Season for the second year running, alongside the Players’ Player of the Season and Away Travel Player of the Season at our annual Awards Evening.
Harrison made a total of 154 appearances for the club, standing seventh in our all-time list of games played since reformation.
Manager Calum McIntyre said: “You never enjoy seeing your best players leave the football club. But in this case, it is a move that is richly deserved and is the next step in Harrison’s career.
“His performances and development has quite rightly seen him earn the opportunity to progress up the football pyramid into the EFL and the professional game.
“Having worked with him as both man and boy for nearly a decade, I am so pleased his hard work, personality and dedication has delivered him this opportunity.
“Harrison has come through the Academy and comes from a terrific, supportive family. He has been excellent for Chester Football Club, and he moves on with the absolute best wishes of everyone at the club and in the knowledge that he will always be welcomed back here at a place that I hope he would see as his footballing home.
“I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the Academy staff, past and present and all those involved in Harrison’s development. They know who they are and they know how hard they worked to establish and develop the Academy.
“Harrison becomes the fifth Academy Graduate in seven years to progress for a transfer fee into the EFL. The Academy has now generated hundreds of thousands of pounds for the football club in player sales alone. To those that established the Academy nearly 15 years ago and to those that played their part in its successes, your commitment has delivered so much to this football club.
“We have worked hard to get the best deal for the football club and this is one of the most significant transfer fees the club has received since reforming and by far and away our biggest as a National League North club. Harrison becomes the third player in 12 months that we have helped progress into the EFL.
“I look forward to seeing how Harrison’s career progresses, we thank him for his contributions during his time at the club and wish him all the very best – I know how successful he is going to be.”
CFU Vice-Chair Jim Green said: “It has been a real privilege to follow Harrison’s journey with the football club, and I am confident that all our supporters will join me in wishing him every success as he embarks on this new chapter.
“Harrison’s dedication, professionalism, and relentless drive to learn and improve is a great example to any young footballer, and he has been a wonderful ambassador for Chester FC off the field through his involvement with the Community Trust.
“We are a club that takes great pride in watching one of our own progress, and Harrison’s success further endorses the Academy pathway and the exceptional work of the staff to create an environment that supports young players to grow, develop and thrive.
“While we are sad to see Harrison move on, we are equally excited to see what the future holds for him. He leaves with our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes.”
Congratulations, Harrison. We are all so proud of you and we wish you all the very best in your next chapter in the EFL!