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Source: Peterborough Today

The Evening Telegraph understands Posh have paid £1.1 million to League Two side Crawley for a 26 year-old striker with 38 goals in an 18-month Football League career to his name. There are also over £300,000 in sell-ons and add-ons attached to the deal.

Barnett has joined Posh on an emergency loan until the end of the season when he will sign a four-year contract. He will make his debut in Saturday’s Championship clash at Doncaster.

Barnett’s arrival ends a month-long pursuit of the player. It was reported that Posh had a joint bid of £1.9 million for Barnett and Crawley defender Kyle McFadzean turned down during the January transer window.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony took a financial plunge after listening to manager Darren Ferguson rave about the player.

MacAnthony said: “The gaffer called me last week after seeing this lad for the umpteenth time and said ‘wow, power, pace, goals, aerial colossus, we have to sign him.

“We have smashed our transfer record and signed one of most sought-after strikers outside the Championship. We also beat six tasty Championship clubs to this deal.”

The previous highest transfer fee paid by Posh was £500,000 to Grimsby Town for central defender Ryan Bennett, but he eventually cost the club more than a million pounds when add-ons and a sell-on fee following his recent move to Norwich City were taken into account.

Barnett failed to agree personal terms after Championship rivals Blackpool set up a £1.4 million transfer last month, He’s scored 15 goals in 33 appearances for Crawley so far this season.

Ferguson added: “We have been after Tyrone for a while now so I’m delighted we have signed him. He gives us something totally different to what we have already got.

“We have had several good reports on him and I went to watch him recently, but left at half-time because I could already see how good he was.

“He scores all sorts of goals. He is technically very good, has decent pace and he is one of the best strikers in the air that I have seen for a while.

“He is a good age, has a good background and we are thrilled to have him on board. Fair play to the chairman for pulling out all the stops to get him.”

Posh have paid a record fee for a League Two player. The previous highest was the £800,000 that Bournemouth paid to Crawley for striker Matthew Tubbs last month.

Big factor was the chance to play for Darren Ferguson

TYRONE Barnett is confident he can bring his Crawley Town form into the Championship.

The 26 year-old striker has jumped from non-league football to the second tier of English football inside 18 months, but he believes Posh boss Darren Ferguson will help him improve further.

Barnett was a striker at Hednesford Town in the Southern Premier League two seasons ago before moving into the Football League with Macclesfield and Crawley.

Barnett said: “I’ve had a good season at Crawley and I hope it carries on here. I have confidence in my ability and I can’t wait to get started in the Championship.

“A big factor for me was playing for Darren Ferguson. I have met him a few times and it’s obvious that he wants to play football the right way and so do I.

“I’m always looking to improve my game and I’m at a club that will help me do that. I’m excited about the challenge ahead.

“I know Peterborough had a bid rejected for me in January which was disappointing, but I didn’t let if affect me and now I’m glad that the move has happened.”