Akinde earns transfer to Bristol City

JOHN AKINDE has moved from Ebbsfleet United to Bristol City in the world's first ever football transfer to be voted on by fans.

In a historical transaction, the 20-year-old, who spent loan spells with both Whitstable Town and Margate, moves to Ashton Gate for a fee of £150,000 following a vote amongst the club's owners, the My Football Club members, who overwhelmingly elected to back the deal.

"This is a world first," Danny Davis, Ebbsfleet United’s chief executive David Davis told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk.

"The fans had the final say in whether the club should accept the offer for John and they did so by an overwhelming majority, around 80%. Initially we did not identify Bristol City as the club that had made the offer, as it was the value, structure and reasoning behind the proposal, rather than where it had come from, which was of relevance to the fans.

"Being able to share decision-making with the 30,000+ club owners and have transparency is what My Football Club is trying to achieve, and we would like to thank Bristol City for their flexibility and co-operation as we carried out the necessary voting process with our supporters".

The complete deal could be worth considerably more to the Fleet. After an initial payment on signature by Akinde, staged payments - standard in football transfers - will bring the transfer fee to £150,000.

Additionally the Fleet will receive a further £25,000 if Akinde features (either in the starting line up or as substitute) after 10 matches, and a further £100,000 if he features in 50% of matches if City win promotion to the Premiership.

Ebbsfleet will also receive 20% of any gross proceeds - over and above what will have already been paid - from any future transfer of Akinde from Bristol City.

The sale of Gravesend lad John Akinde once again proves the value of the club's PASE scheme and joining a Championship club will enhance John's career under the guidance of City manager Gary Johnson.

Article courtesy of www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Ebbsfleet United v Cambridge United
Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 2^nd September 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9BA