The Lower Tiers understands that Doncaster Rovers are preparing a move for Burnley striker Michael Mellon, as the South Yorkshire club looks to strengthen their squad.
Mellon, a product of Burnley’s youth academy, is no stranger to the EFL and has already shown glimpses of his goalscoring pedigree across several loan spells. Despite a challenging 2024/25 campaign hampered by injuries, the young forward remains a hot prospect — and Doncaster are ready to pounce.
Rovers manager Grant McCann is believed to be a long-time admirer of Mellon, whose physical style, eye for goal, and experience at a young age make him an appealing option for a side looking to add firepower to their attack. Sources close to the club suggest that initial contact has been made with Burnley, with Doncaster aiming to strike a permanent deal.
Michael Mellon’s Career So Far
In 2019, Mellon joined Burnley’s youth set up from Manchester United before earning himself a two-year scholarship in July 2020.
In February 2022, he signed his first professional contract which kept him at Burnley until the summer of 2025.
Michael Mellon made his professional debut on loan at Morecambe in January 2023 but failed to score in any of his 8 appearances during his first loan stint at the club.
Mellon’s 2023/24 season was a tale of two halves — and a critical stepping stone in his development. He burst onto the scene with an eye-catching loan spell at Morecambe, where he netted an impressive 15 goals in just 27 games during the first half of the campaign. His movement in the box, powerful finishing, and confidence in front of goal marked him out as one of League Two’s standout performers.
Such form didn’t go unnoticed, and Burnley opted to recall him in January 2024, seeking to test him in a different environment. He was subsequently loaned to Scottish Premiership side Dundee, where he featured regularly and added three more goals in 14 appearances. Though his output dipped, the spell offered valuable experience at a higher level and allowed Mellon to adapt to a more physical, fast-paced league.
The start of the 2024/25 season saw Mellon head to Stockport County, again on loan. However, a frustrating period followed, with injuries limiting his involvement and impact. He struggled for minutes and form, and the spell was ultimately cut short. Yet, his potential remains undoubted.
A return to English football’s third tier — particularly with a club as ambitious as Doncaster — could be just what Mellon needs to get his career back on track. His brief but memorable stint at Bradford City last season offers further evidence of his match-winning capabilities. Though he only scored two goals in 15 appearances, one of those was a dramatic last-minute winner away at Salford City — a result that proved pivotal in Bradford’s successful push for promotion to League One.
Despite his nomadic loan journey so far, Mellon has shown time and again that he knows where the net is — especially when given a consistent run of games. He thrives off service into the box, has a natural striker’s instinct, and is still developing physically and tactically.
If the deal goes through, Michael Mellon would arrive at the Eco-Power Stadium with something to prove — and all the tools to do it. For Doncaster, it would be a statement signing; for Mellon, it could be the platform he needs to finally cement his status as a regular EFL goalscorer.
