Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne's persistence secured the services of League Two's top-scorer from last season.
Barnsley are understood to have paid Scunthorpe £250,000 for Sam Winnall while the deal could rise to £500,000. The 23-year-old netted 23 goals in a fantastic 2013/14 season, powering the Iron to automatic promotion from League Two. He was the division's top-scorer and nominated for its Player of the Year.
Several other clubs were interested in him, including the Reds' local rivals Sheffield United, and manager Danny Wilson claims Cryne was crucial in making the deal happen.
"We were able to pursue Sam because the owner Patrick has been very diligent in his chase for him and had a focus on him," Wilson told the Chronicle.
"Of course Patrick signs off on every move we make as a football club but he took a particular interest in this one. He was able to come to an agreement with Scunthorpe. Goal-scorers are at a premium and they come at a price. Sometimes you can afford it and sometimes you can't.
"We're delighted that we have managed to get Sam to Barnsley. He had a terrific season last year and we're hoping he can continue that. With a bit of luck we can put some good players around him and give him the service he will need."
Winnall, who signed a three-year deal with the Reds on Wednesday, came through the youth system at hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers and made his debut in the League Cup in 2010, but that proved to be his only game. He was loaned out to Burton, Hereford, Inverness and Shrewsbury – scoring nine goals in 35 games for all of them – before being released by Wolves following their relegation to League One a year ago. He joined Scunthorpe and had a fantastic season with 23 goals in 49 games.
