Oliver Burke’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Oliver Jasen Burke (born 7 April 1997) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and the Scotland national team.
He came through the academy at Nottingham Forest, signing a professional contract in September 2014 and making his debut the following February. In August 2016, Burke signed for the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £13 million, making him the most expensive Scottish footballer of all time.

Club career

Nottingham Forest

Burke was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, but grew up in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where he joined local club Mowbray Rangers aged eight. After one season at the club, he was scouted to join Nottingham Forest’s Academy where he progressed for the next nine years. Burke signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest on 19 September 2014, before making his professional debut as an 87th-minute substitute during a 3–1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on 24 September. He made his league debut on 14 February 2015 as a 64th-minute substitute in a 4–4 draw away to Blackpool.

Burke was sent on a month-long loan to League One club Bradford City on 24 February. He made his debut for them on the same day, playing for 75 minutes in a 2–1 loss away to Swindon Town. Burke made another start on 28 February in a 2–0 loss against Peterborough United and appeared twice as an unused susbtitute before returning to his parent club. After his loan spell at Bradford City came to an end, Burke signed a three-year contract with Forest.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Burke signed another three-year contract with the club on 29 July. Burke played for the club’s reserves until December when he was called up to the first team by manager Dougie Freedman, who Burke considered his mentor. On 29 December, Burke scored his first goal for Forest from a curling shot hit with the outside of his right foot against Cardiff City. His goal opened the scoring at the Cardiff City Stadium nine minutes into the game, which ended 1–1. Burke scored his second goal for the club on 16 January 2016 in a 3–0 win over Bolton Wanderers. His performance once again earned a contract extension on a four-year deal on 29 February. Burke ended the 2015–16 season having made twenty-one appearances in all competitions and scoring twice.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season Burke made an impression in the pre-season friendlies, scoring three times in six matches. Under the new management of Philippe Montanier, Burke scored in the opening game of the season, a 4–3 win over Burton Albion, and scored a brace two weeks later against Wigan Athletic. Burke scored on his final appearance for Forest on 27 August, a 3–1 defeat of Leeds United. Burke’s early season form and performances attracted the interest of leading European and Premier League clubs, such as Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Manchester United, Sunderland and Liverpool. However, Montanier dismissed suggestions of Burke leaving Forest.

In a move that caused outrage among Forest supporters, who criticised the club’s owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi, Burke was sold to German club RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £13,000,000 on the 28 August.

RB Leipzig

On 28 August 2016, Burke joined newly promoted Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The deal was reported by BBC Sport to be worth around £13 million, which set a new record for a transfer involving a Scottish player.

On his debut for Leipzig, a home Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund on 10 September, Burke came on after 69 minutes in place of Yussuf Poulsen and provided an assist for Naby Keïta to score the only goal. Fifteen days later he opened the scoring in a 1–1 draw at 1. FC Köln, becoming the first Scot to score in Germany’s top flight since Brian O’Neil for VfL Wolfsburg in November 1999.

International career

Though Burke was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, he was also eligible to play for England having been brought up in the nation from a young age, but opted to play for his country of birth. He was first called up by Scotland U19 and scored on his debut for the team, a 3–1 win against Mexico U18, on 6 October 2015. He went on to make six appearance for the side.

Burke received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad on 10 March 2016 for their friendly match against Denmark. He made his debut as an 82nd-minute substitute for goalscorer Matt Ritchie in the 1–0 win at Hampden Park 19 days later.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 December 2016.

International

As of match played 4 September 2016