Former Manchester United defender Dunne joins Accrington on loan from Burnley

Accrington Stanley have signed up-and-coming Irish defender Jimmy Dunne on loan from Burnley until the end of the English league season.

The former Manchester United trainee recently completed a successful five-month stint with National League side Barrow and impressed enough to earn a step up the ladder to League Two.

Stanley manager, the former Sligo Rovers boss John Coleman, has been following his progressed and moved quickly to make the 20-year-old his first signing of the winter transfer window.

“It’s definitely a step up for me,” the defender, who can play either centre-half or full-back, told the club's official website.

“I’ve been on loan at Barrow and that was exactly what I needed for my development.

“I think that there is going to be more quality and more pace in this league, it’s going to be tough but I can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be given this opportunity to step up a league, test myself and continue to learn about the physical side of defending.

“The position in the table here is different to the one at Barrow, it’s a different kind of fight for me now. Accrington are trying to get up so I’m going to learn about a different situation.

“I’ll have to adjust as quickly because there’s no time. I need to get out there, get my head down, work hard and try to help the team as much as I can.”

The Dundalk native follows in the footsteps of his Burnley clubmate Kevin Long, who spent two separate spells with Accrington before estbalishing himself in the Premier League.

He added: “I’ve spoken to Kevin. He did similar things to what I’m doing now, he went out on loan a couple of times.

“He’s a fellow Irishman and he’s now played internationally and in the Premier League, so he’s definitely somebody that I can look up to and proof that there is a clear pathway for me.

“I’ve lived in Accrington for a year and a half and I’ve already been to the Wham Stadium to watch a couple of games. I came in pre-season and I know that the club are doing well, you only need to look at the table to see that, hopefully I can help build on that.”

Coleman added: “He has had half a season at Barrow and has done well. He did well at that level and now he is making the step up. It won’t be a shock to him.

” He fits the profile of our club and is the type of defender I want here. He is a solid defender, he is good in the air and we have been keeping an eye on him for a while.”