Derby County have put the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund they won earlier this month towards the permanent signing of Jason Shackell from Burnley.
The Rams won the £250,000 Fund when fan Richard Jones was selected in a random draw at Sky Studios on Friday July 10.Thirty one-year-old defender Shackell will re-join the side he left in 2012 as Derby head coach Paul Clement continues to build his squad at the iPro Stadium for the upcoming 2015/16 season.
He becomes the latest in a number of high-profile signings made by Clement this summer.
Transfer Fund winner Richard, who also won a £5,000 prize for himself, said: "As a Derby fan, I’m absolutely delighted I’ve played my part in helping to bring Jason Shackell to the club - and all just by placing a £1 bet.
“Hopefully he can help our push for promotion next season.”
Throughout the 2014/15 season, fans who bet with Football League Title Sponsor Sky Bet earned Transfer Fund tokens for every pound they spent, putting them in with a chance of winning the £250,000 Transfer Fund for their club.
26-year-old Richard, from Edinburgh, took his place in the final ten in a draw at the Sky Studios, before he was selected as the winner by Football League Commercial Director Ben Wright live on Sky Sports News HQ.
Derby Head Coach Paul Clement said: “We’re thrilled that Jason Shackell has become our latest acquisition; he is an experienced defender at both Premier League and Championship level.
“I know that the Derby County fans will know all about his qualities already, following his previous spell at the club.
“We feel that we have made a number of exciting signings this summer and this one certainly falls into that category.
“We’re delighted that he has chosen to join us and I look forward to working with him.”
He added: “I’d like to thank Richard Jones for participating in the Sky Bet Transfer Fund and helping the club to sign Jason.”
Shackell said: “I’m delighted to sign for Derby County and I’m really excited about the prospect of working with Paul Clement, his coaching staff and the rest of the players.
“There’s a really strong squad here and I’m happy to be part of it.
“Derby have been at the top end of the division for the last few years and I believe that we can be up there again this season, hopefully making that final step and reaching the Premier League.
“The club has made massive progress in recent times and after hearing the vision and ambition of Mel Morris, Sam Rush and Paul Clement, I couldn’t wait to sign.”
He added: “I know just how big a club Derby is following my previous spell here a few years ago and I’m well aware of the fantastic support that we have.”
Sky Bet Head of Sponsorship Edwin Martin said: “For our winning fan, this signing must be a proud moment.
“Over 100,000 fans up and down the country have been taking part in the Transfer Fund, vying for a chance to help make a difference to their team ahead of next season and for Richard, this has become a reality.”
Sky Bet have installed several special markets following the signing of Shackell.
They make him 5/6 to score two or more goals for Derby this season, and 50/1 to score five or more.
The Rams are 12/1 to keep the most clean sheets in the Sky Bet Championship this season with Shackell in the heart of their defence.
The first Sky Bet Transfer Fund prize was won by Nottingham Forest fan Shaun Lander in December 2014.
The club used the money to bring in Todd Kane and Gary Gardner on loan from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.