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Barnsley: Steele set to take a grip on Tykes' keeper shirt
Luke Steele looks set to take over the number one jersey at Barnsley following goalkeeper Heinz Muller's departure to Bundesliga new boys FSV Mainz 05.
Muller, 31, has joined the German side for a fee of around 600,000 and leaves the Tykes having joined from Lillestrom for around 150,000 in August 2007.
The 6ft 5in keeper made 69 first team appearances for Barnsley and has been by and large the first choice custodian, but his departure will give the perfect opportunity for Steele to make the position his own.
The 24-year-old has recently signed a two-year contract extension and has long stated that he is desperate to become the permanent first choice.
Joining the Tykes is 20-year-old striker Onome Sodje, but Barnsley are locked in dispute with York City who want compensation for their former striker.
Sodje was on non-contract terms with the Minstermen and the striker has now signed a one-year deal at Oakwell.
However, York are unhappy that the Nigerian-born footballer has walked away for free and director of communications Sophie Hicks believes the club might be entitled to compensation.
York claim Sodje has turned his back on the club despite a promise to sign a new two-year deal this summer.
The Minstermen say Sodje was granted permission to stay and play in the country thanks to the help of City and a Home Office appeal.
Said Hicks: "We have assisted Onome to further his development as a footballer in the UK since his arrival at York City two years ago.
"We offered him a contract for the new season and we are disappointed that he has not communicated with the manager or with the chairman."
The claim for compensation may now be decided by an FA tribunal but Tykes manager Simon Davey is delighted to land his man, citing Sodje – nephew of Sheffield Wednesday striker Akpo – as an exciting prospect for the future.
He said: "He's lightening quick with an eye for goal, a lot of potential and someone we feel can improve and develop here at Oakwell."
Meanwhile, Davey has not ruled out a second bid for Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam after an initial offer was turned down.
Adam, 23, a full Scotland international, caught the eye during a five-month loan spell at Championship rivals Blackpool last season and is keen to break into Walter Smith's first team at Ibrox.
"We made an offer to Rangers and they turned it down," said Davey.
"We have a price that we won't go over so we will have to wait and see whether we can find the right deal.
"The player did very well last season during his spell with Blackpool and impressed against us."
Burnley and Reading have also been linked with the former Rangers youth team player.
Meanwhile, Barnsley have been drawn away at Lincoln City in the first round of next season's Carling Cup.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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