Premiership Ipswich Town have swooped to sign York City's teenage international Chris Hogg, the Evening Press can exclusively reveal.
It is believed Ipswich will pay City an initial six-figure compensation sum for Hogg, in recognition of the Minstermen's part in his development over the last four years.
Although both clubs were remaining tight-lipped about the exact details of the deal, the agreement is almost certainly bound to include sell-on clauses and further cash linked to first-team appearances.
George Burley's 'tractor boys', who qualified for the UEFA Cup after a successful return to the top-flight, have beaten off opposition from a number of leading clubs to take the highly-prized teenage centre-back to Portman Road.
Rated as one of the country's brightest young talents, last season Hogg skippered City's Under-16s and featured for the club's Under-19s during their run to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
After an unsuccessful trial spell at Manchester United last year, the Middlesbrough-born youngster was offered a three-year scholarship by City for the start of next season.
However, a number of big clubs were known to be monitoring his development closely and it was inevitable one would make a move for Hogg sooner rather than later.
Ipswich offer one of the top youth set-ups in the country, having groomed England internationals Kieron Dyer and Richard Wright, plus James Scowcroft and Titus Bramble for stardom.
Last season, Town's under-17s won their Academy League while their intermediates reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.
Next month Hogg, who only turned 16 in March, is due to feature for England Under-17s in a friendly tournament against Brazil and Italy.
Last season he captained his country at under-15 level and was more often than not the only player in the England set-up outside the Premiership or First Division.
Earlier this year, Hogg and his England team mates enjoyed a successful Montaigu tournament where they were only edged out 1-0 in the final by hosts France.
The cash-compensation package received from Ipswich for Hogg once again underlines the value of City's highly-cherished youth system.
In March this year the Evening Press revealed a transfer tribunal had ordered Aston Villa to stump up £50,000 for former protg Cameron Stuart.
Ex-Joseph Rowntree pupil Stuart was offered trainee scholarship terms by City last summer after first joining the club as a ten-year-old and progressing through to the club's under-16s.
But he spurned City's offer in favour of three-year scholarship forms at Villa. As well as the £50,000, City will also receive further monies should Stuart progress.
Updated: 11:24 Thursday, June 28, 2001
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