Born in England to Scottish parents, he represents Scotland at international level, making his senior debut in March 2018.
Early life
McBurnie was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire.[4] He grew up in the suburb of Garforth, attending Garforth Academy.[5] He still lived in Garforth as of July 2020.[6][7]
McBurnie was given a three-year professional contract by Bradford on 23 August 2013.[10][11] In November 2013, Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson stated that he was considering involving McBurnie with the club's first team squad.[12] He made his professional debut on 9 November 2013, in the FA Cup, appearing as a substitute.[13] He later spoke about his desire for further first-team action,[14] and made his first senior start on 26 December 2013, at the age of 17.[15][16]
He was offered a new contract by the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[17][18][19] McBurnie later spoke about his first season as a professional, describing it as "ridiculous."[20] He also spoke about his excitement ahead of the 2014–15 season.[21] In September 2014 manager Phil Parkinson told McBurnie to "step up to the plate" and make the most of the first-team appearances he was making following an injury to regular started James Hanson.[22] In October 2014 Parkinson hinted that McBurnie would be sent out on loan.[23]
McBurnie joined Chester on a one-month loan deal on 22 January 2015.[24] He was recalled early, returning to Bradford on 20 February following injuries to first-team players.[25] Manager Phil Parkinson thought the loan spell had been beneficial to McBurnie's development.[26] He re-joined Chester on loan on 6 March.[27]
Swansea City
On 13 July 2015, McBurnie joined Swansea City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee,[28][29] later revealed to be £250,000.[15] Later that month he made his first appearances for Swansea in under-21 matches in Holland.[30]
In November 2015 he joined League Two club Newport County on an initial one-month loan.[31][32] McBurnie made his debut for Newport on 28 November in a league game against Luton Town, scoring a hat-trick after coming on as a 58th-minute substitute.[33][34] While the loan had been earlier extended until January 2016, he was recalled by Swansea on 24 December 2015.[35] On 7 March 2016, he joined Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2015–16 season.[36]
On 23 August 2016, McBurnie scored twice on his debut for Swansea's first team in the second-round 2016–17 EFL Cup tie against Peterborough United. The match finished 1–3 in Swansea's favour.[37] His performance was praised by ex-Swansea player Warren Feeney.[38] McBurnie won the Premier League 2 'Player of the Month' award for January 2017.[39] In November 2016, McBurnie signed a one-year contract extension at the Liberty Stadium until June 2019.[40]
McBurnie appeared as a substitute in Swansea's first three matches of the 2017–18 Premier League. On 31 August 2017, the last day of the English summer transfer window, a loan to Championship club Barnsley for the rest of the season was agreed.[41] However, despite training with Barnsley the transfer was not completed, due to an issue with the paperwork and he returned to Swansea.[42] Upon returning to Swansea under Paul Clement he played for Swansea's Under 23's scoring 10 goals in 7 games, before earning a recall to the first team under new manager Carlos Carvalhal, where he made 12 appearances including starting against Liverpool and Newcastle.[43]
On 31 January 2018, he moved on loan to Barnsley, then managed by Paul Heckingbottom.[44] He scored his first goal for Barnsley in a 1–1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on 10 February 2018.[45] After scoring six goals in his first eight games at Barnsley, McBurnie was named the Championship Player of the Month for February and also received a call up to the Scotland squad for his form.[43] On 28 April 2018, McBurnie won Barnsley's Player Of The Year award.[46]
McBurnie returned to Swansea at the end of the season, and stated that he would use his Championship experience to help fire them to promotion.[47] After speculation strongly linking him with moves to either Leeds United or Rangers,[48] on 12 July 2018 he signed a new three-year contract extension at Swansea City with the option of a fourth year.[49][50] McBurnie scored his first league goal for Swansea in their first match of the 2018–19 season a 2–1 victory against Sheffield United.[51]
Sheffield United
In July 2019, McBurnie was the subject of a transfer bid from Sheffield United, which was rejected by Swansea.[52] Later that month Sheffield United increased their bid,[53][54] which Swansea accepted.[55]
On 2 August 2019, McBurnie signed for Sheffield United on a four-year deal for a fee of £17.5 million, potentially rising to £20 million.[56] The fee set a new club record for Sheffield United and a new record for a transfer involving a Scottish player,[57] until it was beaten a few days later by Kieran Tierney's £25 million move from Celtic to Arsenal.[58] McBurnie's former club Bradford City were set to receive a "windfall" from his sale,[59] later confirmed to be around £2 million.[60]
On 24 November 2019, he scored the equaliser as Sheffield United drew 3–3 with Manchester United at Bramall Lane. The goal was challenged by VAR but upheld.[61] He finished the 2019–20 season as Sheffield United's joint highest goalscorer along with Lys Mousset on six goals.[62] In April 2022, he suffered a foot injury and was ruled out for "months".[63]
On 26 August 2022, he scored his first league goal in 43 games (since December 2020), and his first in any competition for 11 months, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw away at Luton Town.[64][65] He finished the 2022–23 season with 15 goals in all competitions as United were promoted back to the Premier League.[66]
He was released by the club on expiration of his contract on 1 July 2024.[67]
International career
Youth career
In September 2013, McBurnie was called up for a training camp by the Scotland under-19 national team.[68] McBurnie was called up to the Scotland under-19 squad in November 2014. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against the Netherlands.[69][70] in April 2015 he was praised by under-19 manager Ricky Sbragia, and subsequently by club manager Phil Parkinson.[71] He scored 1 goals in 4 appearances for the under-19s.[72]
McBurnie moved up to the under-21 team in 2015, and he made 12 appearances at that level, scoring 2 goals.[73]
Senior career
McBurnie was selected for the senior national squad for the first time in March 2018, by new Scotland manager Alex McLeish.[74] He made his full international debut on 23 March, in a 1–0 defeat to Costa Rica.[75] He then took part in Scotland's mini tour of Latin America (defeats to Peru and Mexico) two months later.[50]
In March 2019, following "his breakthrough campaign for Swansea", McBurnie said he was ready to "stake a claim for a Scotland striking role".[76]
In September 2019 McBurnie stated his commitment to the national team following a video posted on social media.[77] His dedication to the Scotland national team was questioned again in August 2020, after he withdrew from the squad but then played in a club match.[78] He was defended by Scotland manager Steve Clarke.[79] McBurnie was further criticised in November 2020,[80] and was again defended by Clarke.[81]
In November 2020, McBurnie played in both of Scotland's UEFA Euro 2020 play-off matches (against Israel and Serbia), scoring in the penalty shoot-out win in the latter, which qualified Scotland for their first major tournament in over 20 years.[82]
In May 2021 he was not selected to the Scotland squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament due to injury.[83][84]
Personal life
McBurnie was a boyhood fan of Scottish football club Rangers.[50]
In October 2019 McBurnie was charged with drink-driving.[85] In July 2020 he was fined £28,500 and banned from driving for 16 months.[6][7]
In January 2020, McBurnie was warned by the Football Association for his conduct amongst Swansea City supporters whilst attending the South Wales derby when he allegedly made a rude gesture towards Cardiff City fans.[86]
In February 2021 McBurnie offered to pay for the funeral of a 26-year-old Swansea City fan who died.[87]
On 10 May 2021, Sheffield United announced they would investigate a video being circulated on social media which appeared to show McBurnie involved in a fight.[88]North Yorkshire Police said that a 24-year-old man had been arrested in connection with an incident where a 21-year-old victim sustained facial injuries.[89] The following month, North Yorkshire Police said that the case had been concluded, with a penalty notice and caution issued to two of the men involved in the incident.[90]
In May 2022 police announced an investigation into a video allegedly showing McBurnie 'stamping' on a fan, with McBurnie saying he was trying to step over the person.[91] In June 2022, McBurnie and Sheffield United teammate Rhian Brewster were charged with common assault by Nottinghamshire Police "in relation to disorder at the conclusion of a game at the City Ground on 17 May 2022". Both players "strenuously denied" the allegations.[92] The charges against Brewster were dropped in July 2022, but remained against McBurnie.[93] In August 2022 it was announced that the case against McBurnie would proceed to trial, after he pleaded not guilty to an assault charge.[94][95] On 15 December 2022, McBurnie was found not guilty of the charge.[96]
^"Oliver McBurnie". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
^"Oliver McBurnie: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
^"Ollie McBurnie". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
^"O. McBurnie: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
^Garforth Post 16 [@GApost16] (14 March 2017). "Congratulations to ex-student Oli McBurnie!! #frontcover" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 July 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ a b"Premier League star fined for drink-driving". BBC Sport. 10 July 2020.
^ a b"Garforth footballer and Sheffield United striker fined for drink driving in Audi at 'idiotic speed'". yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
^"Leeds United Under 9's in 2005". Twitter – Oli McBurnie. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
^Parker, Simon (10 August 2013). "'Starstruck' Bradford City youth team striker Oliver McBurnie is Manchester United's golden boy". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
^Parker, Simon (23 August 2013). "In-form Oliver McBurnie given three-year deal at Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
^"McBurnie signs pro deal". Bradford City A.F.C. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
^"Boss looking to get McBurnie involved". Bradford City A.F.C. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
^"Rotherham 3 – 0 Bradford". BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
^Heppenstall, Ross (11 November 2013). "Teenage hot-shot Oliver begs for more after Bradford City debut". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
^ a b"McBurnie grateful to Bradford City school of hard knocks". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 23 May 2020.
^Parker, Simon (4 February 2014). "Rookie Bantams striker Oliver McBurnie enjoying whirlwind ride as he reveals confidence growing with every game". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
^"TRIO TO LEAVE THE CLUB". Bradford City A.F.C. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^Parker, Simon (7 May 2014). "Garry Thompson and Matthew Bates not offered new Bradford City deals at Valley Parade". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^"Bradford City: Garry Thompson and Matthew Bates released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^Parker, Simon (16 May 2014). "Brief period of reflection for Bradford City hot-shot Oliver McBurnie". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
^"Oliver McBurnie keen to take next step with Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
^"Kid gloves come off for Bradford City rookie McBurnie". Telegraph & Argus. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
^Parker, Simon (20 October 2014). "Parkinson wants McBurnie to rebuild confidence away from Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
^"Bantams striker set to join Blues". Chester F.C. 22 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
^Parker, Simon (20 February 2015). "Bantams striker McBurnie returns to Valley Parade with a glowing reference". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
^Parker, Simon (21 February 2015). "Bradford City: Spell away was Chest the job for McBurnie". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
^"McBurnie heads back to Chester". Sky Sports. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
^Parker, Simon (13 July 2015). "Swansea swoop for Bradford City teenager McBurnie". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
^"Swansea sign Oli McBurnie from Bradford". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
^Parker, Simon (25 July 2015). "Former Bantam McBurnie: Billy told me what Knott to do at top". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
^Tucker, Steve (26 November 2015). "Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie joins Newport County on one-month loan deal". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
^"Newport County sign Swansea City's Oliver McBurnie on loan". BBC Sport. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
^"Newport 3–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
^Marshall, Bill (29 November 2015). "McBurnie hits treble on Newport debut". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
^"Swansea City recall Oliver McBurnie from Newport County". BBC Sport. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
^"Oliver McBurnie: Swansea City striker joins Bristol Rovers on loan". BBC Sport. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
^"Peterborough United 1–3 Swansea City". BBC Sport. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
^Pearlman, Michael (26 August 2016). "Oliver McBurnie can shine for Swansea City, says former striker Warren Feeney". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
^"McBurnie wins PL2 Player of the Month award". Premier League. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
^Powell, Dave (9 November 2016). "Former Chester striker McBurnie signs new Swansea deal". Chester Chronicle.
^"Gary Gardner and Oli McBurnie: Barnsley sign midfielder and striker". BBC Sport. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
^"Maikel Kieftenbeld & Oli McBurnie transfers fall through". BBC Sport. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
^ a b c"Oli McBurnie interview: Swansea striker shining for Barnsley". Sky Sports. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
^"Christoph Knasmullner, Matt Mills and Oli McBurnie: Barnsley sign trio on deadline day". BBC Sport. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
^"Barnsley 1–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
^ a b"Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie named Barnsley's Player of the Year despite only arriving in on loan January". Wales Online. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
^"Oli McBurnie: Swansea City striker ready to tap into Championship experience". BBC Sport. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
^Gwilym, Andrew (12 July 2018). "Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie signs new deal to end Leeds United and Rangers interest". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
^"McBurnie signs new contract". Swansea City. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
^ a b c"Oli McBurnie: Swansea striker determined to be Scotland's number nine". BBC Sport. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
^ a b"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
^"Oli McBurnie: Swansea City turn down Sheffield United bid". BBC Sport. 15 July 2019.
^"Sheffield United increase offer to Swansea for former Bantam McBurnie". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 29 July 2019.
^"Oli McBurnie: Sheffield United improve offer for Swansea City striker". BBC Sport. 29 July 2019.
^"Sheffield Utd agree £20m deal for Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie". BBC Sport. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
^"Oli McBurnie: Sheffield United agree £17m deal for Swansea striker". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
^Vincent, Gareth (2 August 2019). "Sheffield United: Oli McBurnie proud of Blades move but sorry to leave Swans". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
^"Kieran Tierney: Celtic defender completes £25m Arsenal move". BBC Sport. 8 August 2019.
^"City set to benefit after McBurnie move confirmed". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2 August 2019.
^"Bradford City accounts reveal their debt to McBurnie windfall". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
^"McBurnie: My leveller never in doubt despite VAR check". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 24 November 2019.
^"Sheffield United Scoring Stats – 2019–20". ESPN. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
^"Blades striker McBurnie out for 'months'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
^"McBurnie on target but Blades held by Luton". BBC Sport.
^Bloomer, Danny (27 August 2022). "Oli McBurnie hails Jack Lester after ending Sheffield United goal drought". YorkshireLive.
^"Oliver MCBURNIE". Sheffield United F.C. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
^"Thanks". Sheffield United FC. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
^"McBurnie picked for Scotland training". Bradford City A.F.C. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
^"McBurnie earns first Scotland cap". bradfordcityfc.co.uk. Bradford City FC.
^"Oliver McBurnie". scottishfa.co.uk.
^Parker, Simon (18 April 2015). "Parky confident Bantams break will be making of McBurnie". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
^"Oliver McBurnie". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
^"Oliver McBurnie". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
^"Six new faces in Alex McLeish's Scotland squad for March friendlies". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
^"Striker Oli McBurnie is pick of the five Scotland debutants". scotsman.com. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
^"Former Bantam Oli McBurnie ready to front up for Scotland". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
^"Oli McBurnie: Line drawn under social media video issue, says Steven Reid". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
^"'Nobody more frustrated than me' – McBurnie". BBC Sport. 2 September 2020.
^"Scotland boss lauds McBurnie qualities". BBC Sport. 26 August 2020.
^"Is McBurnie worth persevering with?". BBC Sport. 16 November 2020.
^"'Oli left everything on the pitch' – Clarke pleased with McBurnie". BBC Sport. 15 November 2020.
^"Serbia 1–1 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
^"Former City striker in Euros agony as he misses out on Scotland squad". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 19 May 2021.
^"Gilmour & Turnbull make Scotland squad". BBC Sport. 19 May 2021.
^"Oli McBurnie: Sheffield United striker charged with drink-driving". BBC Sport. 21 October 2019.
^"Former Bantam Oli McBurnie warned by FA over south Wales derby conduct". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 13 January 2020.
^"McBurnie offers to pay for fan's funeral". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
^"Sheff Utd to investigate McBurnie video". BBC Sport.
^"Oli McBurnie: Police make arrest over incident filmed on phone". BBC Sport.
^Gray, Charles (14 June 2021). "Oli McBurnie 'assault' case concluded by police as two men fined and cautioned after viral 'street fight' video". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
^"Police investigating 'stamping' video of McBurnie". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^"Sheffield United pair Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie charged with common assault over disorder at play-off match". 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
^"Rhian Brewster: Footballer's pitch invasion assault charge dropped". BBC News. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
^"Sheffield United player set for trial over fan assault charge". BBC Sport. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
^"Former Bantams player in court over assault charge after play-off loss". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
^"Oli McBurnie: Footballer cleared of assault on pitch-invading fan". BBC Sport. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
^ a b"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
^ a b c"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
^ a b"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
^ a b"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
^"Games played by Oli McBurnie in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
^"Oliver McBurnie". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
^"It's a perfect end to the season, says King". www.premierleague.com. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oliver McBurnie.