FORMER Burnley Academy central midfielder Mark Howarth has joined Guiseley, following a spell at Salford City.

The 21-year-old was born in Burnley and joined the Academy set up at his home town club aged ten, staying there for a decade.

Howarth suffered a stress fracture in his back in late 2017 while with the Turf Moor club and was sidelined for six months.

He was released by Burnley in 2019 and joined Salford, from where he had loan spells at Marine, where he scored five goals in six games, and Buxton, before a short spell at Droylsden just before lockdown.

Discussing his move to Nethermoor, Howarth said: "I chose Guiseley after the good things my agent said about them and their management team and when I met Russ O'Neill I knew that was where I wanted to go.

"Going forward I am looking to improve my game under Russ and Marcus (Bignot) and I hope to have a good season."

He added: "I am really looking forward to a new challenge, I haven't played in the National League before.

"I have been keeping fit in lockdown by doing a lot of running and I am looking forward to training starting this week."