Spencer is on his way to Everton

Last updated : 20 April 2006 By The Chairman
Latics young prospect Scott Spencer is on his way to Everton after the two clubs agreed compensation terms. The 17 year old striker has been described as "the next Rooney" and has only made a few apperances for the reserve team but the Toffees manager David Moyes has been keeping tabs, and his 29 goals this season will not have gone unnoticed. It is rumoured that after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical the Latics will receive a down payment of £225,000 with contractual further payments depending on Spencer's progress and sell-on clauses. It is expected that the final amount could realise a total of £600,000 if the youngster progresses as expected.

Other clubs have been interested and the Latics didn't want to lose his services but as the Latics have been reputedly losing in the region of £65,000 per month over the last financial year, the sum is a windfall to the club. Spencer joined Athletic's Centre of Excellence when he was only 10 years old and when he was aged 15 the Latics turned down a £40,000 bid from Bolton Wanderers.

Alan Hardy commented, "Once a Premiership club comes calling it is very difficult to hold onto young talent, but we have agreed what we feel is a very good financial package and we wish Scott well for the future. We have reached the basis of an agreement with Everton and it's up to Scott to agree terms. We are not releasing any financial details, but we consider the offer to be satisfactory for a player of his experience.” Wayne Harrison set a British record fee for a 17 year old back in 1985 when Liverpool paid Athletic £250,000 for his services.