ADE Akinbiyi today spoke of the huge debt he owes to Burnley Football Club and Steve Cotterill.

The former Clarets striker joined Sheffield United yesterday in a three-and-a-half year deal worth a club record £1.75m.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Akinbiyi thanked everyone at Turf Moor for helping to resurrect his career and throwing up the possibility of Premiership football again.

And the well-travelled striker hopes the record fee will contribute towards making Burnley become a Championship force under a manager who has transformed the club's fortunes in little over 18 months.

"I am definitely sad to leave and I will always remember Burnley as a great time in my career," insisted the Blades new signing, 31.

"I spoke to Steve Cotterill and Dave Kevan quite a few times before I made my mind up and in the end it was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in football.

"I know Steve was almost in tears at one stage as we talked and I've never seen a manager before so devastated to see me leave."

Akinbiyi, whose 18 goals in 43 appearances turned him into a cult hero at Turf Moor, added: "I feel Burnley got the best out of me and Steve has told me he wants me to go to Sheffield United and be the top scorer in this league.

That's the kind of honest guy he is. I felt I lost my way at Leicester and Crystal Palace and Tony Pulis helped me find my way a little at Stoke.

"But Steve is a an out-and-out winner and he's pushed me further than anyone ever has and helped me so much."

Akinbiyi also recalled an amazing relationship with fans at Turf Moor following a nightmare start and the infamous red card received just 180 seconds into his debut last season.

He added: "For a player to have a start like I did and still have the fans right behind me was amazing. From there it has been absolutely tremendous and I owe them a huge debt of thanks.

I have no regrets though. That's football!

"Burnley are receiving quite a lot of money and my big hope now is that the board use it in the right way.

"You could argue that Steve needs three or four players and obviously I hope this helps."

Speaking on his club record signing, United boss Neil Warnock said: "What you're getting with Ade is someone of proven ability.

"He's scored 14 goals already this season and I know it's a lot of money, but when you look at some of the other valuations being banded around for players who have only played a handful of games then it's worth it.

"I'm not just looking at this season, I'm looking well beyond that.

"Ade knows he is not going to be guaranteed a starting role, nobody here is. But he is hungry and he knows this could be his last shot at the Premiership."