DAVID Flitcroft has given his backing to defender Matty Foulds after the youngster completed his move to Everton last week.

The academy graduate penned a four-year deal with the Toffees for an undisclosed fee following his rise through the youth ranks at Gigg Lane.

The 17-year-old centre-back, pictured right, made his first-team debut against Leicester City in this season’s Captial One Cup, before registering his first start for the Shakers in their 2-1 Johnstone Paint Trophy win at Accrington Stanley.

His impressive displays sparked interest from big clubs across the country, but as soon as Roberto Martinez and Everton came sniffing, there was only one destination for the youngster.

“It has been difficult because there are quite a few clubs interested,” said Flitcroft.

“Everton really sort of drove the bidding war and wanted him.

“Once the player knows and understands that a club like Everton and particularly Roberto (Martinez) wants him, once he spoke to Roberto about his pathway and his development there was no holding him back and it’s a fantastic deal for the club. It’s a good deal all round and I’m delighted for the kid.

“He has trained with the first team ever since I have been here really.

“I have spoke to him since and he has gone in at Everton and he is quite enjoying it.

“The club has acted very well in protecting the interests of Matty Foulds and I’m really plotting his career and rooting for the kid because he could be a fantastic player.”

The deal has proved very beneficial to Bury, who have received a ‘sizeable’ amount of money upfront for the talented defender.

There are also lots of performance-related add-ons, which could include an added bonus if the teenager receives an England call-up in future years, like that of former Shakers striker David Nugent.

“It is undisclosed. There is money up front. A good sizeable money up front and add-ons and depending on how he does and how he plays the game.

“I think in the early stages people didn’t [put clauses in contracts] but now you know there are a lot of caveats in there to meet all eventualities.

“It is too complicated to go into but you do look at those things and make sure that you get everything boxed off.

“You just don’t know what will happen, so it’s very important that you get everything nailed.

“We took our time with it and we didn’t panic, we made sure we got it right for the club and that’s why it took so long.”

Meanwhile, the loan window closed seven days ago with Hallam Hope, Anthony Dudley and Keil O’Brien extending their stays at Carlisle United, Guiseley and Halifax, respectively, until January, while Ryan Lowe joined Crewe until the new year.

Flitcroft said he believed the departures would not leave his squad short of numbers, after confirming Bury had inserted a 24-hour recall clause into most of the players’ deals.

“We have Hallam done. It was important that we got Hallam done, knowing that he was on a 24-hour recall,” added the Bury boss.

“It’s also important that we have managed to stagger them and get them back at the right time.

“When we want to dip into them they are still our players and Duds at Guisley is the same situation, so we have let the clubs take them on knowing that we have got the flexibility and the ability to bring them back at the drop of a phone call.”