JANOI Donacien has left Accrington Stanley for Championship side Ipswich Town in what is set to be a club record sale.

The 24-year-old, who was born in St Lucia, has initially joined the Tractor Boys on a loan deal until the end of the season due to work permit issues. But once the work permit, which is expected in the coming days, is granted Stanley are set to receive a significant sum.

The fee has been undisclosed by both clubs but sources in East Anglia suggest it could be as much as £750,000, bettering the £500,000 paid by Barnsley for Matty Pearson last summer.

Stanley manager John Coleman said: "Janoi has been fantastic since he has been here. He hasn't been an ounce of trouble and I am surprised no one has come in for him sooner.

"Once people started treating us properly in the transfer market, that gives players the opportunities.

"We can't let them go just to better their career, it has to be good for the club as well and that's my responsibility.

"The money will mean a lot to Accrington, we will use it to improve the infrastructure of the club."

Chairman Andy Holt said: "Janoi is a great lad, he is a model professional and he did what it said on the tin.

"He came here, grafted, helped us win the league title and fully deserves his opportunity. That's what we are about at Accrington.

"The fee means a great deal to us and for us, it's going into new changing rooms."

Donacien, who was an almost ever-present in Stanley's title winning season, spent two years at the Wham Stadium after coming through the ranks at Tottenham and Aston Villa.