SCOTLAND captain Gary McAllister succumbed to the lure of lifelong financial security yesterday when he agreed to move from Leeds United to Coventry City.
In what will be, arguably, the summer's most surprising deal, McAllister will this morning complete a £3 million transfer after Leeds have accepted - with understandable reluctance - his written transfer request.
McAllister's decision to leave a club he has served with such distinction over the past six years is all the more surprising in the light of his public declaration of loyalty to Leeds last week.
Upon his return from a family holiday McAllister had all but ridiculed talk of him defecting from Elland Road by insisting he would remain "for as long as Leeds want me".
According to Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson he is still coveted in West Yorkshire but nonetheless ignored all pleas to stay and honour the remaining three years of his current contract.
"His contribution has been enormous since I signed him," said Wilkinson. "I am very sorry to see him go but I am powerless to do anything about it."
Although Coventry will not divulge the financial details of the package used to shoehorn McAllister out of what was a cost and lucrative niche, he has clearly been made an offer he cannot refuse.
It is believed that Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson has sanctioned a deal which will see a player who will celebrate his 32nd birthday later this year earn around £16,000 a week, or double what he is picking up at Leeds.
McAllister joined Leeds from Leicester City for a £1 million fee in 1990 and led the club to the League Championship four years later.
Birmingham City manager Trevor Francis has continued his summer spending spree by signing Blackburn Rovers striker Mike Newell.
Newell, 31, who had earlier spells with Leicester and Everton, cost Birmingham £775,000.
He has signed a three-year contract at St Andrew's and is the fifth player that Francis has signed from the Premiership this summer.
Steve Bruce, Barry Horne, Gary Ablett and Paul Furlong have also been signed by Francis since he took over at St Andrew's two months ago.
Newell will form a new-look strike force with former Chelsea forward Furlong next season and Francis said: "I think that I have now got a great strike force."
