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Barker completes Derby move
BLACKPOOL club captain Shaun Barker signed for Derby County today for a fee in excess of £1 million.
Barker passed his medical and has signed a three-year-deal with the Rams, Derby manager Nigel Clough sealing the deal after staving off interest from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.
The fee received by the Seasiders represents a massive profit for Blackpool since he was signed from Rotherham by former manager Simonn Grayson back in 2006 - the fee then was a mere 35,000.
But Barker has shown his talent time without number since then and he played a key part in the Seasiders' promotion to the Championship and subsequent consolidation.
He has shown his versatility at the heart of the Blackpool defence and at full-back.
Though a hefty outlay, the fee is not a club record, Brett Ormerod having joined Southampton from Blackpool for 1.75 million.
Barker flew to Blackpool from Devon this morning to collect his belongings before travelling to Derby to complete the signing.
"I have been aware of Derby's interest for a while," Barker added.
"I had three great seasons at Blackpool and the only two other clubs I would consider in the Championship would have been Derby or Forest.
"I made great friends at Blackpool and it's sad to leave. But this is a great opportunity."
For more on this story, read Thursday's Gazette.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
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