AMSTERDAM – Though it wasn't the typical path one travels to a loan stint, Sarpsborg 08 'keeper Colin Burns said he is pleased to be spending the coming season in the Norwegian second flight with Sandefjord Fotball.
Though the American's deadline-day move flew under the radar somewhat with everything else going on, it wasn't because his story lacked entertainment value.
A registration issue had initially made it seem as though Burns had to be loaned out, and by the time all parties realized that was not the case, a replacement for him at Sarpsborg had been found.
"I was having some work-permit trouble, so that is how this loan was initiated," the 28-year-old Delaware native told MLSsoccer.com from Norway.
Burns said he re-applied for his work permit in November, but Sarpsborg still had not received the paperwork in the beginning of January. By then, the club assumed he would not get permission, so they sought to loan him out to another club in Norway. He then went on trial at Sandefjord.
"Halfway through my trial, my work permit was granted, but I decided to finish the trial so I would have all options," he said.
Burns opted to go ahead with the loan, passing up a promotion season for the chance at more playing time a level down.
"Sarpsborg wanted me to come back and fight with the other two keepers for the No. 1 shirt, but I felt like Sandefjord would the best choice in the long term," he said. "There was a lot more that went into this decision than choosing Tippeligaen or Adeccoligaen."
Burns, who was a part-time starter in the Swedish top flight in 2008 with the newly promoted Ljungskile, is eager to help his loan employers take the league elevator after this term.
"The staff and the facilities at Sandefjord are first class and that is something I couldn’t walk away from," said Burns, whose Sarpsborg deal expires at season’s end. "They are providing me with all the tools necessary to continue to develop as a goalkeeper. I’m very excited to be here and to help another team with promotion to the Tippeligaen."
Burns and Sandefjord will open the 2011 Adeccoligaen season with an April 3 visit from Steve Clark's relegated Hønefoss.
