Coventry Kid Could Cost Over A Million

By Mark Heys
September 8 2006

Former Coventry City Academy youngster Temitopi Obadeyi could end up costing Bolton Wanderers a fee up to £1 million after the two clubs agreed on a structured compensation package

The England youth international joined the Trotters earlier this year from the Ricoh Arena club but the two teams had to negotiate an amicable compensation package for the teenager.

Wanderers will pay an initial £150,000 up front with the rest based on certain clauses and appearances. Coventry's financial director Mal Brannigan was happy that an agreement could finally be ironed out.

"It is always disappointing to lose good young players, especially when they have gone through their formative years with the club, but at the same time he was well within his rights to move," said Brannigan to the Coventry Evening Telegraph.

"He had been offered a scholarship and had until the last week in July to not accept it, and the freedom to talk to other clubs, which he did with Bolton. Fortunately we retained our compensation rights and we discussed the situation with Bolton over a period of time and eventually reached an amicable agreement in the right spirit."