by Tony Curtis

York City were hoping for a large financial boost following Lee Grant's departure to Premiership outfit Aston Villa today.

Defensive starlet Grant, who became the second youngest player to play for City when he made his league debut in the 3-0 home win over Bristol Rovers in April, has spent six years coming through York's centre of excellence.

However, Grant has spurned City's offer of a three-year scholarship to sign for the Villans, putting York in line for a hefty compensation package.

Last summer Ipswich Town agreed to pay a £150,000 down payment rising to £500,000 depending on appearances for teenage centre-back Chris Hogg, while in March last year, the Evening Press revealed a transfer tribunal had ordered Aston Villa to pay an initial £50,000 for former protg Cameron Stuart.

Now, City can expect another lump sum for Strensall-based Grant, who has opted to join Stuart, who was a member of Aston Villa's FA Youth Cup winning squad, at Villa Park.

Keith Usher, York City's chief executive said: "We are currently talking to Aston Villa regarding compensation for the player, who spent six years coming through our centre of excellence."

Mark Ansell, deputy chief executive and financial director at Aston Villa, added: "We had permission from York City to approach and speak to Lee Grant and we are now involved in talks with the club regarding compensation.

"We are always interested in the best emerging talent and we believe Lee is going be a very good signing."

City chairman John Batchelor has confirmed to the Evening Press that the money from the deal could be handed to boss Terry Dolan to bring in some firepower upfront.

Batchelor added: "We are just waiting for the second list for released players, which is unusually late as far as I've been led to believe.

"We are actively pursuing options where we can strengthen our forward line and are looking at bringing in the right men up front.

"We have been in conversation with two or three players, some of whom will be quite well-known and we hope to have some news of these in the next couple of weeks."

City always faced a battle to hang on to the services of 16-year-old Grant, with a number of top-flight club, including Sunderland, keen on the player.

But it is Graham Taylor's Villa side who have won the race for the highly-rated defender, having gone in for his signature last week.

The Minstermen had originally denied they had received any approach for the player, but with Grant due to start his scholarship with City today it was revealed he had opted to take up the three-year offer from Villa.

Updated: 12:16 Monday, July 01, 2002