BURNLEY new boy Aaron Lennon reminds as excited about the game at the age of 30 as he was at 16.

The winger made his first Clarets start in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last weekend as he begins life at his fourth club after spells with Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

But the 21-cap England ace insists that none of the hunger to succeed or the thrill of the game has left him as he remains as mad about football as he's always been.

Crucially Lennon believes he remains in good shape as well as he closes in on 500 career appearances, having made his debut for Leeds at the age of 16, becoming the youngest player to feature in the Premier League at that point.

"I have looked after myself, which you have to do. You start to learn about your body and what you have to do to be right," he said.

"I had a few bad injuries when I was younger but thankfully I've not had any recently and I've stayed healthy and fit.

"I love football. When I'm not playing I'm at home watching it. It could be League One, League Two, Conference. If there's a game on, I'll probably be watching it.

"I love coming in to train, and even more the match days. I'm still as excited as when I was 16."

Lennon has certainly racked up the games in his storied career and next season will be his 15th in the Premier League, and he insists there is plenty more still to come.

"Because I have been around for a long time, people think I'm a bit older than I am," he said.

"But I'm only 30 and I feel great. I think that's the main thing, how you feel. My body feels good and I think I've got a lot to offer and hopefully I can show that in the games coming up. I'm looking forward to it."

Lennon arrived at Turf Moor in the January transfer window, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Clarets.

He came close to leaving Goodison Park for Burnley in the summer only for the deal to fall down on the deadline day.

But Lennon was delighted to see Sean Dyche return for him and he's now aiming to play his part for Burnley.

"I think it was the right time for me to move. It was very close in August. It nearly happened but we just couldn't get it over the line," he said.

"I was really happy that the gaffer came back for me. Thankfully it all went through and I'm really excited to be here.

"The lads have done brilliant and it's been a great season so far. I think a lot of people under-estimate Burnley. I have played Burnley many times and I don't think I've ever had an easy game. Hopefully I can help them continue the season they've had so far."

Lennon brings plenty of Premier League and international experience with him.

He featured in the 2006 World Cup in Germany at the age of 19 as well as the 2010 edition in South Africa, experiences he is proud of.

But it's to 2006 he looks back, with England falling to a quarter-final defeat to Portugal on penalties when momentum was gathering for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

"I think everyone looks back and things if we had won that penalty shooutout 'what if?'," Lennon told Burnley's matchday programme, Turf.

"I think with that squad if we had that shoot-out we had a chance.

"They are great memories for me. Especially the first one, I was only 19.

"I loved every minute of playing for England and the World Cups were special. Being there are memories that will stick with me forever."