HUDDERSFIELD Town bosses Dean Hoyle and Nigel Clibbens are driving a hard bargain in their record-breaking transfer deals.
While Lee Peltier has left for Championship Leicester City and Anthony Pilkington for the Premiership with Norwich City, they have put together packages which will help them drive the Galpharm club forward under Lee Clark.
Peltier’s seven-figure transfer includes add-ons which will quickly kick-in for Town when the season gets under way on August 6.
And it’s clear Pilkington’s £2m-plus switch to Carrow Road, already around the Andy Booth £2.25m to Sheffield Wednesday in 1996, could rise beyond the eventual Marcus Stewart package to Ipswich in 2000.
That was reported to be a final £2.75m and, while Stockport County are set to receive a percentage of Town’s profit because of a sell-on clause in the 23-year-old’s capture from Edgeley Park, it represents outstanding business for a third-tier club.
Chairman Hoyle has described the Pilkington package as a "multi-million pound" deal and is determined to keep Town moving forward after the signing of summer trio Calum Woods, Donal McDermott and Oscar Gobern.
Those three are already making their mark at the club as they approach the first pre-season friendly at Gateshead on Saturday.
"I’m delighted with the three of them and they have already made a huge impact in the group," said manager Lee Clark, who said he always knew Pilkington had the ability to go to the highest level.
"In their own way, all three bring different qualities to the squad, but they are all young, hungry players with an immense amount of talent.
"It’s all good for the club and a big chance for them all to progress their careers."
