BURY have confirmed the departure of Jacob Bedeau to Championship side Aston Villa.

The 17-year-old centre-back completed a medical today before signing for Steve Bruce's squad for an undisclosed fee.

Shakers head coach Chris Brass revealed on Saturday negotiations had been ongoing for a number of weeks.

It is understood Bury turned down a number of offers before finally agreeing a fee reported in the national press as just short of £1million.

Whether or not that figure will be paid up front, in instalments or comprises a number of add-ons has not been revealed.

Bedeau, who only signed for Bury last summer following a move from Leyton Orient, broke into the first team under Brass at the end of November, coming on in a 3-2 defeat at Milwall.

He went on to make seven appearances, filling in for the Shakers as they struggled with a defensive injury crisis.

But his mature display at centre-back quickly earned admirers and Villa are understood to have headed a long queue for his signature.

Bury's "delight" at the departure of this young talent did not go down too well with a section of fans, who reacted angrily to the wording of the tweet from the club's official site announcing he had signed for Aston Villa.

But it might be understandable for a club that last year had to fight off a number of winding-up petitions at the High Court following late payment of tax bills.

A statement from the club described the fee for the 17-year-old as "close to a club record".

Both David Johnson and Dean Kiely were sold for £1million - to Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic respectively.

"The deal to land Jacob, with clauses in the club’s favour, is not too far short of a new record transfer fee for the club," read the statement.

"The clauses that the club has inserted into the transfer for Jacob’s future career will benefit the club if he continues to progress along his current career path."