Burnley Football Club has confirmed goalkeeper Sam Waller will spend the entirety of the 2025/26 season on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Crewe Alexandra. The loan move to Crewe Alexandra will help to ensure Burnley FC can continue to support the development of young players through competitive first-team opportunities in the English Football League. Yet for Waller, it presents a major step forward in his career as he looks to develop and hone his craft as a senior professional.
Who is Sam Waller?
21-year-old Sam Waller is an exciting talent who has been with Burnley FC since the age of 12. He has gained a reputation as a mostly unheard-of hot prospect in England, among coaching staff and peers alike. Waller has come through the academy at Burnley FC, and he’s known for his reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and his maturity and ability to look after his defenders behind him.
Waller is just more than six feet tall, has a strong physical presence, and is very self-assured for somebody so young. Waller has apparently not yet had an opportunity to line up competitively for Burnley’s first team, but he has certainly played consistently at youth and U21 levels and has been described as a good captain who led by example, as well as remained calm when needed.
His Stats with Burnley Football Club
Waller has been a regular member of the U21 Squad for Burnley FC, competing in the Premier League 2 and several cup competitions. Over the last two seasons, Waller has played in more than 30 games and is credited with 15 clean sheets, in great part due to Waller’s involvement in defensive shutouts in league and cup matches.
While he has yet to play a senior competitive match for Burnley, he has been a member of the senior match-day squad in EFL Cup matches and also on pre-season tours. He has trained with the senior team as evidence of the chip, but the coaching staff still views his long-term potential as a player.
During past loan spells at Rochdale, Hyde United and Lancaster City, Waller had been able to experience the physicality required for the lower leagues of English football. He earned decent reviews during these games, while also developing as a decision-maker and defender.
What to Expect at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra offers an exciting opportunity for Waller. With a development-first, structured footballing philosophy, Crewe is an ideal entity to give consistent EFL experience.
With Lee Bell at the helm, Crewe will be looking to mount a strong League Two campaign, and Waller is set to figure into this plan as a key part of the starting 11. Waller will be under pressure to perform weekly with significant crowds and the physicality of league football, components that have been absent at the academy level.
Waller’s shot-stopping and composure will be tested weekly, as he considers the pace and physicality of a league noted for its direct, fast football. His ability to distribute, deal with aerial pressure, and game-reading ability will also be scrutinised as he adjusts his pace to that of senior football.
How to Buy Pre-Season Burnley Football Club Season Tickets 2025-26
Buying Burnley tickets for the Burnley football club season tickets and the 2025-26 season is easy, especially if you do it through the official channels for their tickets. Burnley FC has an online ticketing service which is easy to use, offers options for supporting the costs through various payment plans, and provides various options for tickets from the Burnley Football Ticket Office. Burnley football club tickets for pre-season and the full 2025-26 campaign are available from:
- The Burnley FC Ticket Office at Turf Moor
- Online via the official site, burnleyfootballclub.com
- Instalment options via eticketing.co.uk
Season ticket holders also receive priority booking and discounts for home friendlies (i.e., Lazio). It is strongly advisable to book early for Burnley football tickets or Burnley Football Club tickets.
You can visit the 96.com app for more updates related to Burnley FC season tickets.
Conclusion
Sam Waller’s season-long loan spell at Crewe Alexandra is significant for the young goalkeeper. Burnley have allowed him to progress, and now he needs to show his merits over a full EFL season. Waller has a strong foundation from the Clarets and good loan spells in the past, so it will be interesting to see how he reacts at Gresty Road.
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