Aaron Lennon: 'I was in a dark, dark place'

One year later, the 31-year-old spoke to 'Mail on Sunday' to note his struggles and the immense progress he has made to rediscover his love of football. 

Lennon said: ''I was in a dark, dark place for a long time and now just waking up every day and getting excited to come to training again and enjoying each day again is massive for me. The turnaround from this time last year is massive.''

''Probably for the last four or five years, I was not enjoying my football. But for the period since joining Burnley, I am really enjoying it again. The key thing for me was just to get back to playing football and doing what I love.''

In a surprising twist, Sean Dyche's side have managed to secure themselves a spot in the Europa League next season, something Lennon is particularly pleased about.

He said: ''I didn't think I'd be playing back in Europe again, no, but I'm really looking forward to it.'' Lennon even joked that he would get a tattoo in tribute to Burnley's first European campaign in 50 years.

''I'm getting one next week but I can't tell you what it will be. Maybe it will say: 'Burnley going on a European tour'!'.