CHESTER FC star Antoni Sarcevic last night completed a big-money transfer to Fleetwood Town.

The 21-year-old agreed a three-year contract with the ambitious League Two outfit and then passed a medical.

Earlier in the week Chester boss Neil Young agreed a fee with Fleetwood for Sarcevic’s services after the player made it clear he wanted to make the move.

Although the fee will remain undisclosed it is significant enough to satisfy Young and the Blues board who had a put a six-figure price tag on the goalscoring midfielder.

The deal to take Sarcevic to the Highbury Stadium also includes a sell-on clause that will benefit Chester if, as his manager of the last 18 months fully expects, he goes on to play at a higher level.

Young said: “It’s a fantastic deal for the club.

“You’ve got to take into consideration he’s only got 10 or 11 months left on his contract and he’s always said he wants to go and play in the Football League.

“His stock is as high as it has been in a long time and you’ve got to make hay while the sun shines.

“He thoroughly deserves his move. He doesn’t owe us anything. We got him for a nominal fee, with a small sell-on, and he’s gone for a substantial amount of money.”

Young signed Sarcevic for a minimal four-figure fee from Crewe in November 2011.

The Mancunian was initially played out on the wing but following a pre-season challenge from Young through the pages of The Chronicle, Sarcevic made the central midfield position his own last season.

He scored 17 goals, was named the Conference North player of the year and won his first England C cap.

Young said: “I’m very proud. His achievements are down solely to the lad himself but hopefully we’ve helped in terms of man-managing him to get the best out of him.

“But there’s also disappointment as we’re losing someone who is arguably our best player.

“My view has always been that if he gets into a full-time environment and keeps his head down and works hard I believe he can become a Championship player. He’s a good lad and he’s got a good family and girlfriend around him. We wish him well.”

Chester chairman Tony Durkin, speaking yesterday, said: “This is a great opportunity for Antoni to progress his career and move back into full-time football.

“It is at Fleetwood’s request that we have to say the fee is undisclosed. Further monies will be now invested in the playing budget, to be agreed at this evening’s board meeting.

“However we feel the deal is right for the club and the player and reflects his market value.

“The club wishes Antoni the very best of luck at Fleetwood Town and thank him for some memorable moments with the club.”

Crewe will receive around 10% of the transfer fee as part of the deal that took Sarcevic to Chester.

Young believes he will not be able to replace Sarcevic easily.

He said: “We’ve got ideas of players we want to bring in, players who play in Antoni’s position, but whether they can be done I don’t know.

“What we won’t find is an Antoni on a free transfer because if there was one out there I’m sure Fleetwood wouldn’t have paid the money to take Antoni away from us.”

Young has asked fans to be ‘patient’ over new signings, although he does hope to unveil a striker on Monday.

Young also revealed another unnamed member of his squad is the subject of a bid that Chester have accepted.

The Conference Premier fixtures will be released next Wednesday (July 3) at 11am.