Goode had 'nothing but praise' for Cobblers after agreeing Brentford switch

Keith Curle says Charlie Goode had 'nothing but praise' for the Cobblers when he spoke to his former captain after he had agreed a move to Brentford.

The transfer was made official on Wednesday morning as the 25-year-old centre-back penned a four-year deal with the Bees, who have paid an initial seven-figure sum for the defender.

That number could rise further depending on his success at the Championship club, however the fee has already smashed Northampton's club record.

And while Goode will be a big loss to the Cobblers heading into the new League One season, it was a deal that they simply could not turn down.

"We've played our part in Charlie's development, both as a player and as a professional," said Curle. "We can be proud of the work we've done with him and a lot of credit has to go to Charlie himself.

"He bought into the ethos of the football club and he's been a leader for us. I think the recruitment department needs a lot of credit too because they brought Charlie to my attention and that's their job - to go and find players that have the raw materials that I'm looking for.

"The conversations I have with Simon (Tracey), he has a clear indication of what I'm looking for and Charlie is a prime example of that. There are a lot of good players out there and I think Charlie grew into the role of being captain."

Curle caught up with Goode after the move had been agreed and he had only positive things to say about his time at Sixfields.

"I spoke to him on Tuesday and the pleasing thing is that he had nothing but praise for the football club from top to bottom, from the first day he walked in," added Curle.

"Everything we said to Charlie from the day he first came in, the club have delivered and that's pleasing, and I think everybody - supporters, staff, fellow team-mates - can take praise of being a part of a young man's development, as a person and as an individual.

"We said to Charlie at the end of the season, when the time's right for me, for the club and for him, then the player will move on and the club will get the financial rewards - and now it's my job to find a replacement!"