Jaidon Anthony is heading back to London. Brentford have signed the 26-year-old forward from Burnley on a four-year contract, with an option for a fifth, in a deal worth up to £17m including add-ons. The move reunites him with the capital where he was born and where his football journey began at Arsenal’s academy.
Anthony leaves Burnley after just one season back in the Premier League. He contributed nine goals and four assists in 38 appearances across all competitions last season, but it was not enough to prevent the Clarets from sliding straight back into the Championship. That relegation triggered an £8m obligation-to-buy clause that had been written into his loan from Bournemouth — a move made permanent last summer.
“Brentford sign Jaidon Anthony from Burnley for up to £17m on a four-year contract.”
For Brentford, the signing represents a calculated gamble on a player with proven output in a struggling side. Bees manager Keith Andrews said: “We’ve been aware of Jaidon’s journey for a long, long time and have always admired him from afar. He did really well last season, which is difficult in a team that got relegated. After meeting him, it became very evident that he’d fit into the culture of the club and add to the squad. He still has so much more room for growth and improvement, and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
Anthony’s professional career took off at Bournemouth, where he established himself after loan spells at Weymouth and Leeds United. He left Arsenal in 2016 without making a senior appearance. At Burnley, he amassed 17 goals and 11 assists in 81 games, but now he returns to the top flight with a club that came agonisingly close to European football last season, finishing ninth on goal difference.
Brentford have already strengthened their defence this summer, signing Jannik Schuster from RB Salzburg in a deal worth up to £16m including add-ons. Anthony is the second arrival. The Bees open their Premier League campaign at home against Tottenham, while Burnley begin their Championship return on 16 August against West Ham.
The move appeals to Anthony — a Londoner rejoining a club that plays with the energy and directness Andrews champions. How quickly he adapts could determine whether Brentford finally break into Europe.