Exclusive: Sheffield Wednesday set to take legal action against Leicester City over George Hirst transfer

Sheffield Wednesday are seeking significant compensation from Leicester City for striker George Hirst, The Star understands.
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Hirst rejected a long-term deal, which the Owls claimed would have made him the best-paid player for his age in their history, and left the club at the end of his contract to join Belgium team OH Leuven, Leicester’s sister club, in July 2018.

After an unsuccessful season at Leuven, Hirst, the son of Wednesday great David, moved to the King Power Stadium last summer.

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Had Leicester signed him straight from the Owls, the Premier League side would have had to negotiate a compensation fee for Hirst, who was still under the age of 23.

Former Owls youngster George HirstFormer Owls youngster George Hirst
Former Owls youngster George Hirst

However, Leuven’s status as an overseas club meant they bypassed those regulations and any compensation was paid on a fixed tariff, based on FIFA’s regulations.

Now it is understood the Owls are pursuing legal action against the Foxes over the loophole they exploited to circumnavigate the usual compensation process.

Leuven forked out no more than £150,000 to land Hirst, who has represented England at Under-20s, U19s, U18s and U17s level.

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The 20-year-old came through Wednesday’s academy and his stellar goal-scoring exploits at youth level saw him earn plenty of plaudits. Sheffield-born Hirst notched 40 goals for club and country in the 2016/17 campaign.

He made two substitute appearances totalling 41 minutes in the blue and white stripes. His senior debut came as a substitute in their 2-1 EFL Cup defeat to Cambridge United.