Akinbiyi joins Burnley

Cotterill said he wanted the opportunity to speak to him and his advisors and having got it he once again sold Burnley Football Club as he has done in bringing other players in.

Blades’ boss Warnock is far from happy and said today, “It is a major blow for me, Akinbiyi knows he has been my number one target. We have spent a lot of time and effort in trying to persuade him to sign for us.

“It’s very disappointing and I cannot see why a player would want to choose Burnley over us. We have one or two other targets and we will have to pursue them.”

There’s disappointment at the Windy City as well where Stoke Director of Football John Rudge said, “We are obviously very disappointed to lose Ade but everyone has his price and the Board of Directors put that price on his head.

“He’s been a crowd favourite here and done exceptionally well for us. He got back to his best here and we wish him all the best for the future.”

He’s a Claret now and that has excited our manager Steve Cotterill who intends making him a better player. “We are delighted to have Ade on board, we think he is going to be a terrific signing for the club.

“We want to carry on working with him and improving his game and he’s up for that. He’s looking forward to a new challenge and we are excited to have got him.”

Akinbiyi started his career with Norwich but it was after a move to Gillingham in 1997 that his career started to take off. He played his first game against the Clarets in his first full season with the Gills but failed to score as we drew 0-0 with them at the Turf early in the Waddle season.

Big money transfers saw him move to Bristol City, Wolves and then Leicester as his career began to blossom but it all went wrong at Leicester as he struggled in the side that had been taken over by Peter Taylor.

A short time at Palace followed before he signed for Stoke early last season after an initial loan spell at the end of the 2002/03 season. It was for Stoke that he scored his first goal against the Clarets, in their 1-0 win at the Turf last season.

He added two more in the 2-2 result earlier this season as Stoke came back to earn a point. His next goals will be in the Claret & Blue shirt of Burnley though after completing the signing today.

He’s been out injured but latest reports are that he should be fit and should be included in the squad on Saturday at Preston. He cannot play at Blackburn however, he’s cup tied after playing for Stoke in the 3^rd round at Highbury against Arsenal.

He’ll wear the number 20 shirt for the Clarets – and Clarets Mad wish him well.