After weeks of speculation, Anthony Pilkington has left County for League One promotion rivals Huddersfield

In a somewhat surprising move, Pilks has opted to join Lee Clark's side for an undisclosed fee, though the official County website describes it as a 'lucrative' deal.

Many had expected Pilkington - who has been in scintillating form this season - to make the step up to the Championship, though the lure of the Terriers was evidently too great for the former Atherton man to resist.

Huddersfield manager Lee Clark admitted his club had beaten off competition from a number of Championship sides for Pilkington, leading to suggestions that money was perhaps the driving force behind the player opting for a side that will ultimately be in direct competition with County for promotion this term.

Jim Gannon conceded recently that the club were going to have to sell in order to stay afloat, so Pilkington's departure has an air of inevitability about it; however, regardless of the fee, some will undoubtedly see his move as something of a betrayal, given the proximity of the sides in the League One table.