He had two loan spells back at Watford, as well as with Sheffield Wednesday and Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, before a permanent move to Burnley for a £1.2 million fee in July 2008.

[5] He played once more that season, this time as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo as United lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion in the Fourth Round of the League Cup.

[12] Manager Paul Sturrock stated that: "Sir Alex said to me that he wants this player to play in front of big crowds and see how he handles it".

Watford reached the 2006 Championship play-off final, and Eagles was an unused substitute as they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3–0 win over Leeds United.

[18] On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen to gain more experience.

[20] On 13 March, Eagles featured in the second half for United in the UEFA Celebration Match exhibition game at Old Trafford against Marcello Lippi's Europe XI.

[28] He ended the 2008–09 season with eight goals in 57 league and cup appearances, and came on as a 69th-minute substitute for Robbie Blake as Burnley beat Sheffield United 1–0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

[32] In October 2010, manager Brian Laws said that Eagles was "unplayable" and in "absolutely magnificent form" after scoring five goals in the space of four games.

[34] In July 2011, Eagles and his Burnley teammate Tyrone Mears joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-year contract for a joint fee in the region of £3 million, linking up with their ex-manager Owen Coyle for the second time in their careers.

[35] He made his debut in a 4–0 away win at Queens Park Rangers on 13 August, where he created an assist for the second goal put in his own net by Danny Gabbidon.

[46] He played seven games for the "Tangerines", but left Bloomfield Road at the expiry of his contract despite both he and manager Lee Clark reportedly being keen to extend his stay at the club.

[56] He joined League One side Port Vale on a short-term contract after impressing manager Michael Brown during a trial game in January 2017.

[57] After initially being used out wide, he was moved to a number 10 role and scored in consecutive games against Southend United and Swindon Town to pick up important points for Vale's relegation battle.

[58] He won a place on the EFL Team of the Week after picking up an assist and a goal in a 2–0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Vale Park on 1 April.

[60][61] He left the club at the end of the season, but returned to train at Vale Park in November 2017 after new manager Neil Aspin offered him a contract, which Eagles rejected.

[64] After spending 15 months as a free agent, Eagles returned to League Two on 27 July 2019 after signing a one-year deal with Oldham Athletic, with the option of a further year.

[69] Eagles joined Alcoholics Anonymous in September 2021 after being found by police while drunk in charge of a vehicle outside the home of ex-girlfriend Jennifer Metcalfe; he was banned from driving for three months and fined £1,250.