COBBLERS chairman David Cardoza believes Michael Jacobs’ transfer to npower Championship club Derby County is ‘a great move’ for the player.
It was confirmed this morning that midfielder Jacobs has been sold to Nigel Clough’s men for an undisclosed fee, bringing to an end a nine-year association with the Cobblers for the Rothwell youngster.
Jacobs has been at Sixfields since he was 11-years-old, breaking into the first team two years ago and going on to make 100 first-team appearances, scoring 15 goals in the process.
There has been stacks of speculation surrounding the 20-year-old and a move away from Sixfields since the turn of the year, and that intensified last month when he turned down the offer of a new Cobblers contract.
Sources at Sixfields have been making noises for the past couple of months that several clubs were showing an interest in signing Jacobs.
But Derby were the only club to make a concrete offer, and the Cobblers have decided to take the money on offer rather than risk going to a tribunal for their out-of-contract star.
And although Cardoza admits it was a surprise to him that only Derby made an offer, he feels that Pride Park is going to be a good place for Jacobs to further his career.
“I am a little surprised (at having no other offers), but on the other hand it could be that come clubs look at Michael as one for the future,” said Cardoza. “With cash being tight it might not be right for them, whereas at Derby Michael will play, and I think it’s a great move for him.
“Footballers always want to better themselves, same as anybody in any job, and I am delighted and glad Michael has moved on to a decent club, which is what Derby is.
“They will play their younger players, and I think it’s a really good move for him.”
The fee is undisclosed and will stay that way, but Cardoza admitted the deal received from Derby for Jacobs is a good one for the club.
“We have received pretty much what I expected to be honest,” said the chairman. “But we only had one club to work with, as we had no other offers from anybody else.
“To get the price up, you need a lot of people bidding against each other but we weren’t in that position and we have got what we think is a fair price, and we are happy with that.”
And Cardoza also revealed that Jacobs may not be the only Cobblers player making an exit from Sixfields this week.
“There should be some comings and goings this week,” confirmed the chairman.
“Aidy is back now to talk to various agents and players, so hopefully there will be one or two going out and one or two coming in as well.”