Rochdale manager Keith Hill stood firm when Burton Albion enquired about midfielder Jamie Allen, but the Brewers got their man in the end when it was announced at 11:45pm on Thursday night that the 22-year-old had signed for Albion on a three-year-deal.
The deadline day capture of Allen, who has more than 100 Dale appearances to his name and is the second player to join Albion from Rochdale this summer alongside Matty Lund, was the final signing of a flurry of players as John Brayford and Will Miller precluded his arrival.
Allen, appointed Dale captain by Hill back in August 2015 at just 20 years of age, was coveted all summer by Burton, according to the Spotland boss, and has insisted Allen left on their terms.
The fee - undisclosed - was haggled over, Hill says, but Albion stumped up the cash to bring in another midfielder who can help to fill the void left by the departed Jackson Irvine, who left for Hull City on Wednesday.
"This business should have been concluded in June when I first got the phone call," Hill told Rochdale's website .
"We rejected numerous bids from them. And to be fair to the Board of Directors, we, as a club, had a figure in our minds and unless that was met with the clauses that we as a football club demand, then it was a no go and it definitely wasn't going to happen.
"But once Burton came back and agreed to our terms then I thought it was common sense to accept the deal.
"I’m true to my word - I promised Jamie, his representatives and Burton that if they were to match the fee then we would all be happy.
"So, we've stood firm and we've delivered financially and also to the player as well.
"Good luck to Jamie – he deserves his opportunity. He’s another player that we've established in League One and who is now going to be plying his trade in the Championship."
