Chesterfield FC have come away with the better deal following the £17,500 transfer of Janos Kovacs to League Two rivals Lincoln City.
The fee, plus a sell-on clause of 20 per cent, was determined by a Football League Tribunal on Tuesday after the two clubs failed to reach agreement concerning the player's move to Sincil Bank.
The Imps initially offered just £5,000 for the Hungarian defender, while the Spireites asking price was £25,000.
Blues manager Lee Richardson described the settlement as 'reasonable' as the figure was nearer Chesterfield's valuation than the offer made by Lincoln.
Chairman Barrie Hubbard also described the outcome as 'fair'.
On top of the transfer money, Lincoln are also thought to have paid Kovacs' moving costs and an agent's fee, payments which will more than double their £17,500 outlay.
Eyebrows were raised, therefore, when Imps manager Peter Jackson described the deal as 'the bargain of the season'.
Kovacs was signed by Chesterfield from MTK Budapest in August 2005.
He was a first-team regular last season, making 43 appearances, but turned down the offer of a new deal with the Spireites and, as he was under the age of 24, Chesterfield were then entitled to a compensation fee.
Meanwhile, the Spireites have signed keeper Tommy Lee on a one-year contract, while full-back Alan Goodall is joining Chesterfield after his release from Luton Town.
Lee (22), a former Manchester United youngster who spent four years at Old Trafford, has agreed terms with the Spireites and put pen to paper last Thursday.
He made his Blues debut on Tuesdsay when Chesterfield defeated Championship neighbours Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in a pre-season friendly and in the 3-2 victory over Burton.
Keighley-born Lee joined Manchester United as a youngster and in 2005 he helped the Red Devils' reserve team win four trophies.
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