Barnsley boss David Flitcroft has today sealed his first capture of the summer by signing 20 year old winger Dale Jennings from European Champions Bayern Munich for a fee in the region of £250,000.
Liverpool born Jennings started his professional career at Tranmere Rovers and in the 2010-2011 season he scored six goals in 28 appearances, earning himself the League One Apprentice of the Year award.
This form saw him alert several bigger clubs of his potential but it was still a surprise when German giants Bayern secured his services. He has spent most of his two years in Bavaria playing for Bayern’s reserve side, scoring twice in 36 appearances.
His lack of first team football though has seen Jennings yearn for a return to English football and Flitcroft has moved fast to secure his services.
Jennings, who has signed a three year contract, told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I was a bit gutted not to break into the first team but I learned a lot from my time at Bayern,"
"I was only 18 going over there, and it took me six to eight months to get used to it. It's a very good level, the German style of playing is perhaps the best at the moment.
"It's such a massive club it's very hard to break through. With a year left I thought it was best to move on. I was feeling a bit homesick and to be fair they said what mattered most was my happiness.
"I spoke with the manager and his assistant at Barnsley, and he said he had wanted to get me while I was at Tranmere. It looks a really promising situation with the results at the end of last season, so I believe we can do really well."