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Topics: Burnley, EFL Championship, Football
Rory O'Callaghan
Former Burnley midfielder Dale Stephens claims he found out he was being released by the Championship club through Twitter.
The 33-year-old joined the Lancashire club in 2020 on a two-year deal after leaving Brighton.
But he was limited to just 15 appearances in all competitions for the Clarets, with his time at Turf Moor hampered by persistent injury problems.
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Stephens' contract at Burnley expired at the end of last season and the club opted not to offer him a new deal following their relegation to the Championship.
However, Stephens claims he was not informed of that decision by club officials and instead had to learn the news through Twitter.
"The writing was on the wall in the period I had there," Stephens said on talkSPORT.
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"It was disappointing on both sides, I didn't really see it panning out the way that it did because when I initially went there I was excited for the challenge, but for whatever reason it didn't work for me or the football club.
"I sort of knew that I wouldn't be there next year.
"It probably sums my time up there, but I found out on Twitter, of all places, that I wouldn't be getting a new contract.
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"It was bizarre really. I knew anyway before my contract expired but it’s when they release it to the press and stuff and I just see it on my Twitter feed that I’ve been released.
"There's just not much dialogue in terms of offering contracts etc, but it's a clean break which isn't always a bad way to go about it.
"At least you know where you stand in the long term."
Stephens is now a free agent and is training with his former team Brighton while he looks to find a new club.
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Burnley, meanwhile, are preparing for their first season back in the Championship under new manager Vincent Kompany.
The Clarets travel across the Pennines to face Huddersfield in their opening match of the season on July 29.