BURNLEY have agreed a £275,000 fee for Leeds United's Mark Ford - with Chris Waddle's appointment proving a decisive factor in the deal.

And Waddle is also close to clinching a deal with a defender with details expected to be announced today.

Ford's arrival - if personal terms are settled either tomorrow or Thursday - will be Waddle's third signing in his first week in charge.

And it was Waddle who was the deciding factor in Ford's mind.

"The fact that Chris Waddle is there is a big incentive," said Ford.

"He is highly respected in the game and plays the game in an entertaining way.

"He's the sort of player who will pull players in.

"It's a big venture to leave Leeds for a Second Division club.

"But the fact that they've appointed someone like Chris Waddle as manager shows that Burnley have the ambition to progress.

"Hopefully, Burnley will be in the First Division next season and in the next day or so I'll see what Chris Waddle has to say."

The £275,000 fee for Ford includes a 25 per cent sell-on clause and an additional £50,000 payment after an undisclosed number of appearances for his new club. The 21-year-old was a member of Leeds United's FA Youth Cup-winning side in the early 1990s and has played around 50 Premiership games for the club while also captaining England at Under 21 level.

He comes with a reputation for being a tough-tackling midfield player - earning comparisons with David Batty.

Ford broke into the Leeds first team following Batty's move to Blackburn Rovers but fell out of favour when George Graham took the helm at Elland Road from Howard Wilkinson last season.

He had been linked with Barnsley after his contract with Leeds expired.

But Pontefract-born Ford seems destined to spurn a possible Premiership place next season to join Chris Woods and Michael Williams as part of manager Chris Waddle's Turf Moor revolution.

"When I arrived I said I wanted to make four quick signings," said Waddle.

"If all goes well with the defender I'm hoping to speak to this afternoon and with Mark Ford, that will be four new players at the club and quite a productive start." Waddle described Ford as an investment for the club and believes he will play an important holding role in midfield. Here at Burnley we're blessed with so many attack-minded players that we need someone who can hold the ball," said Waddle.

"Mark Ford reads the game very well, has a very good first touch and hates to lose at anything.

"He's a good investment for Burnley Football Club and, although there's a sell-on clause, I'm not looking to sell him."

Boundary Clarets have started taking bookings for the away trips to Watford on August 9 and the Coca-Cola Cup tie at Lincoln on August 12. Those interested, contact Paul on 01282 832100 (daytime) or 01282 705425 (evening).

The AGM of Boundary Clarets - who will sponsor Chris Waddle's kit next season - will be held at the George IV pub on August 28 at 8pm. For further details contact Paul on either of the above numbers.

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