This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

On the eve of their return to the Premier League six years ago, Burnley added to their defensive ranks with an experienced yet cut-price acquisition. Stephen Ward, who already had three seasons in the top flight with Wolves, joined from Molineux for a knockdown fee of just £567,000 (as per TransferMarkt).

Initially the move didn't go to well for the 50-cap Republic of Ireland international, who started just seven league games in an injury-hit campaign as the Clarets were relegated at the end of the 2014/15 season - the second time that Ward had suffered that fate, having also been in the Wolves side that finished bottom of the Premier League three years previously.

However, he managed to carve out a more regular place in Sean Dyche's first team the following season, starting 23 Championship games as Burnley made an immediate return to the top flight. The Irish left-back showed his strengths in both a defensive an attacking sense during that campaign, averaging 2.2 interceptions per game as well as providing four assists.

After his abortive first year at Turf Moor, Ward made up for lost time when the Clarets were back in the Premier League in 2016/17, starting all but one match and posting impressive match averages of 1.9 successful tackles and two interceptions. August 2017 was a month to remember for him, as he scored in an opening day win at then-champions Chelsea and signed a new deal at Turf Moor.

Ward started 28 league games that season as Burnley finished seventh to qualify for the Europa League, giving him a first foray into European football since playing in the Intertoto Cup for Bohemians in his homeland as a teenager.

However, the Clarets failed to make the group stage and the Irishman lost his place in the side to Charlie Taylor during 2018/19, making just three league appearances all season. He ended his five-year association with the club last summer when he joined Stoke, where he has struggled for game-time in recent months.

Ward left Burnley after making 113 appearances for the club - considering that he cost them a mere £567,000, that works out at a very economical £5,017.70 per game, a bargain for a player who for three years was a firm favourite of Dyche and who helped the Clarets to qualify for Europe.

Burnley fans, were you pleasantly surprised by Ward's impact at Turf Moor? Comment below with your views!