IT WAS a busy day at Oakwell yesterday as the Championship club signed TWO new players, released TWO, sold ONE and let TWO go out on loan.
And the Reds were also expected to sign another player today having moved quickly once they realised he had been released from his contract. Sheffield Wednesday striker Chris O’Grady, who the club have tracked for some time, and Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap, both joined the Reds on loan until the end of the season.
They became boss David Flitcroft’s second and third signings respectively since taking charge of the managerial reigns. Flitcroft swooped on Monday to bolster his strikeforce with the signing of free agent and former Ipswich, Wigan and Swansea marksman Jason Scotland.
Out went highly sought-after homegrown talent John Stones, who has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal with Everton in a move thought to be worth £3million.
The Star understands the initial transfer fee is around the £2million mark with Everton due to make future add-on payments based on appearances for the Premier League club. Stones, who will not be loaned back to Barnsley, met with Wigan earlier in the day about a potential move to the Latics, but the England Under-19 international opted for switch to Goodison Park.
Also going are defender Lee Collins and striker Mido. Both players agreed to have their contracts cancelled by mutual consent. Mido has played just 27 minutes of first-team football this season while Collins has not started a game for the Reds since April 2012.
Defender Rob Edwards and winger Matty Done also left the club yesterday as they were loaned out to Shrewsbury Town and Hibernian respectively until the end of the season. Bury defender Andrai Jones will also sign for Barnsley today.
Jones, aged 21, was released from his Gigg Lane contract yesterday.
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