Mark Warburton has lost out on top goalkeeping target Daniel Bentley to his old club Brentford!
In the season-ticket hype that followed clinching The Championship the Southend keeper was strongly linked with a move to join the Warbo revolution.
With the extensive contact book of the former city trader and the influence of star spotter Frank McParland Bentley seemed certain to join Martyn Waghorn, James Tavernier and Rob Kiernan on board the Champions League conveyor belt.
Alas with most of the season ticket money brought in veteran Matt Gilks- whose last league match was in May 2014- signed on at Ibrox as ambitious Brentford.
Speaking to the club website Bentley said: “It happened quite quickly to be fair. Signing up, having a medical, and it being announced all happened in 24 hours so I am absolutely delighted to be here.
“The club has a history in terms of bringing through younger players, and giving younger players a chance. This club offers a stepping stone to playing at a fantastic level. With the facilities that the club has, and its support, it is a fantastic place to be.
“The opportunity for younger players was something I was certainly drawn to. I know a couple of the lads here who have always said that it is a great place to be.
“Players who have been at the club, like Paul Smith who I played with at Southend United, said it was a fantastic place to be and that was an added reason that swayed me to come here. It was a no-brainer in the end.”
Brentford will only have to pay Southend a token development fee for the 22-year-old who made 160 top team appearances after coming through the Southend Academy.
