Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Burnley capture Fletcher for �3m

Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher

Fletcher's performances for Hibs have been much praised

Burnley have signed Scotland striker Steven Fletcher for a club record fee of £3m from Hibernian.

The English club's website stated: "The highly-rated 22-year-old has agreed a four-year deal at Turf Moor."

Fletcher believes he will grow as a player under Owen Coyle, who previously managed St Johnstone and Falkirk.

"As soon as I heard that Burnley were after me, and knowing Owen Coyle as I do, I thought this was the right place to develop my career," he said.

"The opportunity came along in January for me to join Celtic, but Hibs did not think it was the right time to move on.

"When the chance arrived to come to the Premier League and play for a club like Burnley, I was glad they accepted that and let me come down."

It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early

Former Hibernian striker Keith Wright

New Hibs manager John Hughes had hoped to persuade Fletcher, who is a product of the club's youth system and has four Scotland caps, to stay at Easter Road.

But the striker, who had four years of his Hibs contract to run, had been vocal about his desire to further his career in England's top flight.

When Celtic failed with what the Glasgow club described as "substantial offers", Fletcher's agent said the player felt "let down" by Hibs.

Now he will join Coyle, who was linked with the Celtic manager's job this summer, as he leads promoted Burnley into the Premier League.

Fletcher scored 52 goals in nearly 190 appearances for Hibs and scored Scotland's winning goal in April's World Cup qualifying match against Iceland at Hampden.

He was also named as young player of the year by both the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football Writers' Association.

But former Hibs striker Keith Wright believes Fletcher may find it tough to make an immediate impact in England's top flight.

Fletcher leaving too early - Wright

"It will be a blow for Hibs to lose such a quality player, but personally I think he is going just a bit early," Wright told BBC Scotland.

"I think he's still got a bit to learn before going down south and I don't know if he will go there and play every week."

Wright thought that the money earned could be a blessing in disguise for Hughes.

"As long as Yogi is getting part of the money to bring in players that he has earmarked and who can score goals, it might not be a bad thing," he said.

Martin Paterson and Chris Eagles share the previous Burnley transfer record, both costing around £1.5m last summer.

Fletcher became Coyle's second signing of Tuesday, Burnley having earlier completed a £500,000 deal with Derby County for defender Tyrone Mears.

о 8:27 AM

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