Burnley have made Sint-Truiden defender Ameen Al-Dakhil their first signing of the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old centre-back arrives for an undisclosed fee and has put pen to paper over a three-and-a-half-year deal at Turf Moor.

Al-Dakhil came through the academy ranks at Tienen and Anderlecth before making the move to Standard Liege in 2017.

He joined Sint-Truiden in January 2022 and went on to make 25 appearances in total for the Belgian outfit.

The Iraq-born defender, who moved to Belgium at five years of age, has also represented the Red Devils from Under-17 to Under-21 level.

He told the club’s website: "I'm really excited to be here, it's a really nice club, everyone I have met so far have been great with me.

"It's a great club to be it and to make the next steps in my career and improve and learn as a player here.

"It's been has been a really busy week for me, I haven't slept much at all, but it's all worth it now I'm finally here and a Burnley player.”

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jordan Beyer, on loan from Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively, have become a key partnership for the Clarets at the heart of defence this season.

However, Harwood-Bellis is now facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury during the 4-2 win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup last weekend.

Charlie Taylor has also been used at centre-back at times, while summer signing Luke McNally came off the bench against the Cherries.

Vincent Kompany’s men are currently five points clear at the top of the Championship table, having lost just two league games since the start of the campaign.

The Clarets are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Coventry City to Turf Moor (3pm).

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