A FORMER Manchester United youngster, Jimmy Dunne arrived in W12 following five years with United’s North West neighbours Burnley.

Dundalk-born, the imposing centre-half, 23, started out at United’s Belfast academy aged 10. He subsequently switched to Burnley in the summer of 2016.

Dunne joined Barrow on loan at the start of the 2017/18 season and then moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in January 2018. He enjoyed a fine run with Accrington, starting 18 consecutive games to help Stanley win the League Two title.

He only twice finished on the losing side - after promotion had been secured.

Dunne signed a new two-year deal at Turf Moor in August 2018 before moving out on loan again to join Scottish Premiership side Hearts until the following January.

He was a big hit at Tynecastle as he helped Hearts make a flying start to the SPL season and reach the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, before an ankle injury curtailed his loan spell after 14 appearances.

After regaining fitness, the Irishman moved on loan to Sunderland in January 2019 to further his experience, helping the Black Cats reach the League One play-off final.

He remained in League One at the start of the 2019/20 season, with a loan spell at Fleetwood Town bringing the centre-back further first-team experience.

Following his return to Turf Moor he was then a regular part of the Clarets' first-team squad and a regular on the bench post-lockdown. Dunne made seven appearances in all competitions for Burnley last season.