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Sam Baldock became the fourth most expensive transfer from the third tier of English football when he joined West Ham from MK Dons yesterday.

The 22-year-old striker put pen to paper on a four-year deal (with an option for a fifth year) last night after successfully undergoing a medical to become manager Sam Allardyce's seventh signing of a busy summer.

Although West Ham had to pay a premium to land Baldock - the eventual fee being more than double that accepted by MK Dons when Peterborough placed a £1.2million bid just eight weeks ago - the striker narrowly failed to to break into the top three most expensive third-flight exports.

Fabian Delph's eye-opening £8million move from Leeds United to Aston Villa two years ago this month tops the list by a distance is unlikely to be beaten for some considerable time.

At less than half that figure comes the next most expensive transfer, the £3.4million Liverpool eventually paid Charlton for Romford-born Jonjo Shelvey. Completing the top three is Leon Barnett, whose move from Luton Town to West Bromwich Albion in July 2007 cost the Baggies £3million.

The most expensive third tier footballers of all time

1. Fabian Delph: £6million + £2million add-ons (Leeds to Aston Villa 2009/10)

2. Jonjo Shelvey: £1.7million + £1.7million add-ons (Charlton to Liverpool 2010/11)

3. Leon Barnett: £2.5million + £500,000 add-ons (Luton to West Brom 2007/08)

4. Sam Baldock: £2million + £750,000 add-ons (MK Dons to West Ham Utd 2011/12)

5. Luke Varney: £2million + £500,000 add-ons (Crewe to Charlton 2007/08)

6. Nicky Maynard: £2.25million (Crewe to Bristol City 2008/09)

7. David Cotterill: £2million (Bristol City to Wigan Athletic 2006/07)

8. Simon Cox: £1.5million + £400,000 add-ons (Swindon to West Bromwich Albion 2009/10)

9. Freddy Eastwood: £1.5million (Southend to Wolves 2007/08)

9. David Healy: £1.5million (Leeds to Fulham 2007/08)

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