Burke off to Austria

Jamaica international Cory Burke will be plying his trade in Austria for the rest of the football season.

The 28-year-old striker has joined SKN St Polten on a six-month loan from his Major League Soccer (MLS) club Philadelphia Union. The deal will be made official with the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. The announcement was made yesterday on his parent club's website.

Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner believes that the agreement which runs until June presents a good opportunity for Burke to compete at a higher level making him match fit and ready to contribute when he returns to the United States.

"I think they have a good situation for him, as he will join a club where the coach is a friend of mine and he knows everything about the player," he said. "The goal is to give him match practice on the higher level than he has had so far."

Burke had visa problems in the United States last year and he was sent on loan to defending Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) champions Portmore United where he scored 11 goals during his four months with the club.

St Polten are currently in ninth place in the Austrian Bundesliga with 15 points.