IT’s been a long 551 days for Oliver Burke.
But he’s now finally ended his goal drought – and in spectacular style.
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It seems a lifetime ago now when Burke burst onto the scene at Nottingham Forest and set a new record for a transfer involving a Scottish player when he was snapped up by RB Leipzig for £13m in 2016.
Things didn’t quite go to plan in his first stint in the Bundesliga however, featuring mainly as a substitute before being sold to West Bromwich Albion a year later – this time for £15m.
Back then the Baggies were in the Premier League and while the move saw Burke broke his own Scottish record, he didn’t have the desired impact at The Hawthorns.
He took a year to score his first goal for the club and was then loaned out twice before leaving for Sheffield United in 2020 (in a player-swap-plus-cash deal involving Callum Robinson going the other way).
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His two loan spells whilst at West Brom were with Celtic and Alaves in La Liga.
With the Hoops he made 19 appearances and scored four goals, joining in January 2019 and playing his part in the club winning the Treble Treble.
He was a bit-part player for the Blades as they suffered relegation to the Championship in 2021 and after a loan stint at Millwall he moved back to Germany to sign for Werder Bremen.
Since returning to the Bundesliga, Burke has yet to establish himself as a regular in the team but this weekend he certainly made his presence felt when he was on the pitch.
The 27-year-old had gone without a goal for 18 months until he bagged a stunning late winner for Bremen on Saturday against Holstein Kiel.
The 13-time Scotland cap rose to power home a header in the 89th minute that gave his team a crucial three points.
His last goal for the club was a match-winner against Borussia Dortmund on August 21 2022.
Former Werder Bremen star-turned sporting director Peter Niemeyer said of Burke’s goal: “These are the kind of stories that only football writes.
“I’m really happy for Oliver Burke for scoring the decisive goal. He’s had a difficult time at the beginning. But he’s done nothing wrong and always given it his all.
“It’s important to accept a role and make the most of it. It’s great how everyone is happy for him.”
Burke is currently engaged to TOWIE star Megan McKenna and the couple are expecting their first child.
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