IN the end it ended up much to everybody's satisfaction - Simon Whaley got his move and Bury FC picked up satisfactory recompense writes Phil Thorp

It seemed inevitable that the talented Shakers' midfielder would leave during the January transfer window, all that was in doubt was where and how much he'd go for.

Those questions were answered just before lunchtime on Saturday afternoon when, shivering with flu symptoms, he put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal with Preston North End.

The transfer fee will be worth just short of £300,000 for the Shakers with the final few thousand depending on appearances and North End reaching the play-offs.

Crucially a 20 per cent sell-on fee has been negotiated and the Deepdale club have agreed to play a pre-season friendly game at Gigg either this summer or the next.

The move is a dream come true for Bolton-based Whaley who, while he felt ready to make a step up in class, would have preferred staying in the north west.

And, importantly as it worked out, he was keen that the club who had given him his chance in league football didn't lose out financially over his transfer.

His contract allowed him to speak - and, if happy, move - to any team that bid a certain figure for his services, believed to be £100,000.

But to his enormous credit, the likeable 20-year-old was determined not to move until a figure was agreed that matched his club's valuation.

"I didn't want to leave the club unless it was right for Bury FC," he explained.

"I stuck it out as long as I could really, but I think it's worked out well for both parties.

"There's no doubt that I owe Bury a lot and have a lot of people to thank for helping me along the way.

"From Andy Feeley who first signed me as a YTS player, former managers Andy Preece and especially Graham Barrow for believing in me and giving me a first team chance.

"I'd also like to thank the supporters who have been brilliant.

"I've felt a big part of the club for the five years I've been at Gigg Lane but there's always a time to move on and I think this is the right one for me.

"Director Iain Mills also deserves thanks because he took a lot of time to make sure everything was right."

It's the huge progress shown by Whaley since the start of the season that has had scouts flocking to Gigg to cast their eye on his ability.

Like Dave Nugent did last season, he had clearly stepped up a level during the summer break and he is thrilled to be joining up with his former teammate at Deepdale.

"I progressed with Dave and we were strike partners for a season or two so it will be good to be back together," he added.

"It really helps having a friendly face when you go to a new club and he is chuffed that I will be joining him."

"There was talk of me moving during the summer and that's when Graham Barrow was a massive help.

"He said that a move would materialise in time if I continued to play well and that's just what's happened.

"It gave me the mentality to start the season positively and do well and I've just felt a lot stronger and fitter this year."

Whaley made 53 appearances in a Bury shirt, 32 from the substitute bench, scoring eleven goals in the process.

This season alone he bagged seven making him the club's leading scorer. Many of them were spectacular goal of the season contenders.

He turned down a proposed move to Sheffield Wednesday in November when his instincts told him it wasn't the right thing to do.

In the light of what has transpired since those feelings were proved right, and as is always the case when talented youngsters leave Gigg, everyone will be hoping he deservedly goes on to great things at Deepdale and beyond.