BURNLEY goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson has ended his long association with the club to join Manchester United.

Mawson, who first joined the club as a player in 1996, will be the new assistant first-team goalkeeping coach at Old Trafford where he will work with David De Gea and former Clarets number one Lee Grant among others.

The 40-year-old leaves Turf Moor having most recently been the head of goalkeeping coaching for the club’s academy, as well as working under Billy Mercer with the first team.

“Burnley has been a big part of my life and I have built a real affinity with the club,” Mawson told the club website.

“I thoroughly enjoyed all my time there as a player and a coach, and I am extremely grateful to Billy Mercer and all the academy staff I have worked with.

"I would like to thank them for everything they have done for me and for the perfect grounding they have provided me with.

"But this was an opportunity that I couldn’t let pass. To have this chance to work in a senior position at a club of Manchester United’s standing is a fantastic opportunity and one I’m delighted to take.”

Mawson became a trainee goalkeeper with the Clarets in 1996 before signing professional terms two years later.

He didn’t make a senior appearance for the club but went on to enjoy a successful playing career with Morecambe, Halifax, Hereford United and others before continuing to play in non-league.

After re-joining Burnley on a part-time coaching basis in 2006, he joined the youth staff in a permanent role in 2010.

The Yorkshireman then rose through the ranks – working with the U18s and then the U23s – and in 2015 was named as the FA’s goalkeeping coach of the year.