Birmingham City have signed Jay Stansfield from Fulham in a League One record transfer worth up to £20 million.
An offer of £9 million from the third division club was rejected by the Premier League club on Friday, the deadline day.
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But they have now agreed a massive £15 million to sign the 21-year-old, plus potential add-ons of £5 million – with Fulham boasting a 20 percent sell-on clause.
That’s more than the £12.5 million Liverpool paid Juventus to bring Euro 2020 winner Federico Chiesa to Anfield.
At the start of the transfer window, Sunderland signed Will Grigg for £3.4 million, the highest transfer fee in League One history.
But Birmingham, who spent around £34 million this summer, have smashed that record – with Stanfield’s arrival they have surpassed Griggs’ fee for the third time.
Before Stansfield’s arrival, they had signed both Christophe Klarer and Willium Williumsson for £4 million each.
Stansfield, who has signed a seven-year contract in the Midlands, was on loan to the Blues last season when they were relegated from the Championship.
He scored 12 goals in 43 games as their club were relegated to League One.
It’s hard to believe, but Stansfield scored for Fulham against Birmingham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Speaking of his joy at securing a return to St Andrew’s, he said: “I’m really excited. I think this has been a long time coming.”
“When I left the awards ceremony, the reaction from all the fans was: even though it’s been a really tough season for Birmingham as a club and it didn’t end the way we would have liked, I thought it was only right for me to come back here, take on this next challenge and be part of such a great club and great project.”
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He also sent a heartfelt farewell message to Fulham, saying: “In his farewell message to Fulham, Stansfield said: ‘Hello, Fulham fans.'”
“I just want to say a huge thank you for the last five years I have been at this great club.
“I took the decision and the opportunity to play in the first team and I accepted this next challenge to further develop my career not only as a player but also as a person.
Biggest transfer in League One history
1.Jay Stansfield – Birmingham £20m
2.Christophe Klarer – Birmingham £4 million
3.Willium Williumsson-Birmingham £4m
4. Will Grigg – Sunderland £3.4m
5.John Brayford – Sheffield United £2.3m
6.Britt Assombalonga – Peterborough 1.9m
7. Emil Hansson – Birmingham £1.75m
8.John Marquis – Portsmouth £1.7m
9. Mo Eisa – Mk Dons £1.5m
10. Will Grigg – Wigan £1.4m
“I can’t thank the club and all the fans and everyone here enough for the last five years and for making me the person I am today.
“Fulham will always have a special place in my heart because it has been my home for five years.
“For all the success I have achieved – playing in the Premier League and scoring my first goal in the first team of such a big club – I can’t thank the Fulham family enough for all the opportunities and love they have given me.
“I wish you all the best for the future and hope to see you again soon.”
Stansfield is the third new striker Birmingham have signed this summer.
Alfie May, League One’s top scorer last season, was signed from rivals Charlton for £800,000.
Meanwhile, Lyndon Dykes was also signed from Queen’s Park Rangers on a three-year contract earlier this week.
Birmingham, who face Wigan at St Andrew’s on Saturday, have started the League One season unbeaten, recording two wins and a draw in their first three games.