Watford have completed the signing of Burnley striker Andre Gray for a club record £18.5million.
The deal comes on the same day it was revealed that Clarets manager Sean Dyche blocked Gray’s girlfriend – Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock – from sitting in the directors’ box because she was too famous.
The 26-year-old, who scored 33 goals in two seasons with the Clarets, moves to Vicarage Road on a five-year deal.
Andre Gray with his girlfriend, Little Mix singer Leigh-Ann Pinnock, together on holiday. The singer was blocked from watching games in the Burnley directors’ box
During another elaborate unveiling on social media, The Hornets utilised their partnership with Football Manager to announce the signing, with the grey day across Hertfordshire on Wednesday proving prophetic.
After showing the striker’s vital statistics – his determination, strength and ability off the ball – Gray is revealed as a Hornet and he tells fans of his new club: ‘Hello, I’m Andre Gray. I’m delighted to join Watford and I can’t wait to get going.’
The Turf Moor club had turned down two previous offers from Watford and said they wanted to keep him, having shown his qualities since moving from Brentford for £9m in 2015.
Sean Dyche blocked Gray’s girlfriend, Leigh-Ann Pinnock from sitting in the directors’ box
He scored nine times in the Premier League last season and will be the club’s record signing
In a strange twist, Gray’s partner became embroiled in the move, although there is no suggestion that the forward has left because of the club’s treatment towards her.
Pinnock, famous for being part of successful girl group Little Mix, sat with the rest of the team’s wives and girlfriends because Dyche didn’t want the 25-year-old to receive preferential treatment.
Gray scored nine times and provided three assists in the Premier League last season as Burnley secured their status in the top tier by finishing 16th.
A move has been on the cards for some time and the striker is set to drastically increase his wage to around £70,000 a week. Burnley have held talks over Napoli striker Duvan Zapata as a potential replacement.