YOUNG American Danny Karbassiyoon today revealed his delight after leaving Arsenal to sign a two-year deal with Burnley.

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill has swooped to sign the versatile, left-sided defender on a free transfer following his release from Highbury.

And Karbassiyoon, capped at U17 and U19 level, is determined to finally kick-start his career in England at Turf Moor after making just a handful of appearances for the Gunners and on loan last season with Ipswich Town.

"I'm really excited to be at Burnley for the up and coming two seasons," admitted the Virginia-born youngster.

"Talks have been going on all summer and I guess there was interest from other clubs, but I weighed all my options up and felt that Burnley was a good club to come to.

"Arsenal is definitely a special place but Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy were in front of me and in order to advance my career, I had to get out and start playing football and that's what I hope to do here."

Karbassiyoon began his career in America as a striker with Virginia-based Roanoke Star, but was quickly converted into a defender after becoming the first player to join the London club from a US youth system in the summer of 2003.

After a season of reserve team football at Highbury he finally broke into the first team last season, making three Carling Cup appearances and becoming the youngest American to score in an English competitive game with a stunning last minute winner as a substitute in the third round tie at Manchester City.

Karbassiyoon, who has an Iranian father and an Italian mother, furthered his education with three months on loan at Ipswich Town in the new year as defensive cover for injured former Clarets defender Drissa Diallo.

However, after featuring in six games at Portman Road he returned to Arsenal, where manager Arsene Wenger finally decided to release him this summer at the end of his contract.

And after a summer spent weighing up his options, Karbassiyoon yesterday became Cotterill's fifth summer signing to join the summer influx, which includes former Bournemouth duo Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor and ex-Stoke City pairing Wayne Thomas and Gifton Noel-Williams.

Cotterill said: "Danny is a good young player and we're pleased to have signed him. He's a fantastic young man, is very respectful and comes highly recommended.

"He first went to Arsenal as a striker, and although Arsene (Wenger) converted him to a left back, he is still very flexible and can play at left back, left midfield, right back, right midfield or even as a striker.

"With the size of our squad, it will stand him in good stead to be in our squad and hopefully he will learn from it and take his career on. He will be training and playing with the first team and our players and that will hopefully help him and give him more experience."