Howieson signed a professional two-and-a-half-year contract with Burnley in March 2012, having joined from the Asia–Pacific Football Academy in July 2011, having previously played for Mosgiel AFC.

[6] He was spotted by football scout Graham McMann – a former under-16 coach at Burnley – whilst playing in the under-14 South Island tournament in Timaru.

[8] McMann got in touch with his contacts at Football League side Burnley, who agreed to give Howieson a week on trial in April 2011.

[8] He made an instant impression on the club's coaching staff after scoring two goals in a trial match against Carlisle United.

[10] Howieson grabbed headlines when he scored two goals in the FA Youth Cup quarter final against Fulham in February 2012, helping the Clarets in to the semi-finals for the first time since 1978.

[13] On 31 March, Howieson was named on the bench for Burnley's game away at Portsmouth and as such was given squad number 32, however, he was an unused substitute.

[14] He made his senior debut three days later in a 3–1 defeat against Birmingham City in the Football League Championship, replacing Josh McQuoid as an 84th-minute substitute.

[29][30] New Zealand were eventually knocked out by Japan in a 6–0 defeat, however, Howieson was suspended due to picking up two bookings in the group stage.

After a four-year hiatus, Howieson's form at Auckland City led to an All Whites recall under new head coach Fritz Schmid.