JAY RODRIGUEZ is heading home to Burnley after Sean Dyche triggered his £10million release clause.
The 29-year-old striker, who bagged 22 goals for West Brom last season, stayed behind today while the rest of Slaven Bilic’s squad flew out to Spain for pre-season training.
Instead, J-Rod headed back to his home town club for a medical ahead of an emotional return to Turf Moor, where he kicked off his pro career.
West Brom were unable to prevent the cut-price deal as Rodriguez negotiated the release clause when he agreed to drop down to the Championship with the Baggies last summer.
However the deal represents a brilliant bit of business for the Clarets, who failed with a £16million offer last season after the Baggies held out for £20million.
Now Dyche has got his man for half of that amount.
The Burnley boss triggered the clause one week before it was due to expire and Rodriguez jumped at the chance to return to the club he has supported since he was a boy.
The former England international came through the Clarets youth system before Southampton paid £7million to sign him in June 2012.
Five years later Saints sold him to West Brom for £12million, where he has been a huge hit with fans.
They will be gutted to see the striker leave, along with on-loan Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle after the pair scored 46 goals last season.
J-Rod’s departure leaves new boss Slaven Bilic with a major striking headache as Hal Robson-Kanu is now his only recognised hitman.
Although Oliver Burke has played there before for club and country he struggled to convince in the role while on loan at Celtic last season.
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