Jan 20 (Reuters) - Premier League high-flyers Manchester City paid a record 175,000 pounds ($215,000) to sign 13-year-old defender Finley Burns from third-tier Southend United last week, the Times reported on Friday. The newspaper said the overall cost of the transfer could rise to more than 250,000 pounds if Burns goes on to sign professional terms at the Abu Dhabi-owned club. The Times said City's outlay was unprecedented for a 13-year-old, with the club paying almost 150,000 more than they were obliged to under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). He's a great kid from a nice family and everything was sorted out amicably which is how it should be." City have paid big sums on young players in the past, spending a reported 200,000 pounds for Spanish youth player Brahim Diaz in 2013 and 500,000 pounds on winger Jadon Sancho in 2015.

Source: Economic Times January 20, 2017 11:52 UTC