The attacking midfielder joins the Clarets’ youth ranks after helping New Zealand reach the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico last month.
Howieson was born in Dunedin and played his local football down south for the Mosgiel club but has also spent time at the Asia Pacific Football Academy, a Christchurch-based football and education programme working in association with Chelsea Football Club.
The 16-year-old holds a British passport through his Scottish father David and the Clarets were alerted to his talents by Ian Brennan, a former Burnley fullback who now resides in New Zealand.
Howieson impressed during a trial stint at the Lancashire club last season and will now return to take up a scholarship he hopes will lead to a professional career.
Burnley director of youth Martin Dobson is delighted to have signed one of New Zealand’s most promising talents and believes Howieson has a bright future.
“We are always looking and if there is a recommendation we will pursue it,” he says.
“We are trying to get talented young players in. Obviously, the North West of England is a very competitive area and we are prepared to spread the net wide.
“Cameron came in at the end of last season and had a couple of training sessions with the youth team. We liked the look of him and wanted to take it further so offered him a scholarship.
“It’s a big decision for him and his family but he wants to play in English football.”
Howieson, who plays as a left-sided attacking midfielder, played an important role in getting the Young All Whites to Mexico, notching two goals at January’s OFC U-17 Championship in Auckland. One of his strikes was a spectacular free kick that sent New Zealand on their way to a 2-0 win over Tahiti in the final at North Harbour Stadium.
He also featured in all of New Zealand’s three group matches at the World Cup, starting against Uzbekistan, Czech Republic and USA before being replaced in the second half of each of those games. He did not take part in the 6-0 routing at the hands of Japan in the round of 16 as he was suspended after receiving two bookings during the group stages.