The Shrimps' record signing moved to League One side Stockport in a £175,000 transfer.

Hear our audio discussion on the Baker move and Sammy's plans for the coming season.

The fee will rise to £225,000 based on performances, which would make it a Morecambe record, beating Justin Jackson's £175,000 move to Rushden and Diamonds.

The Shrimps also have agreed a sell-on clause, although a percentage of the Stockport fee will be paid to Baker's previous club Southport.

Manager Sammy McIlroy was not surprised that Baker had moved on.

He said: "I said when I bought him that he will probably end up going. I said that I wouldn't stand in his way if a higher division club came along.

"Once he knew about the offer he wanted to go. Stockport are on a high from last season and he wanted to be back nearer home to be near his family.

"It was all about if the club got the right offer," said McIlroy.

Part of the hole left by Baker's loss will be filled by the arrival of Rene Howe on a season's loan from Peterborough.

But Baker was a player hard to replace, said McIlroy.

"It is very hard to bring in a player of Baker's ability. He is a flair player. To get a player of his ability is very, very difficult.

"With an individual like that, you build things around that. With him leaving, we might have to change a few things.

"But it's been great working with him and I wish him all the best at Stockport, if the deal goes through.

"I brought Carl to build the Morecambe team around him but at the end of the day these things happen.

"I took him from Conference North to League football. For the first part of last season he was fantastic and now he is going onto a higher level.

"When you look at games like the ones against Stockport where he really shone and against Bradford where he entertained; games like that will all stick in the memory."

Baker signed for Morecambe last summer in what was described as an 'undisclosed but record deal' for the club.

The 25-year-old had been on the verge of signing earlier in the season but Port blocked the move, meaning McIlroy had to wait to get his man.

He finished the season with 11 goals from 48 appearances in all competitions, 46 of them starts.

Baker has not featured so far in pre-season due to a calf strain.

McIlroy said he would be speaking with the directors to see how much of the fee would be made available for signings.

Even with the expected arrival of Howe later this week, he is still looking to bring another striker, although there may be departures to balance the books.

Howe will have a medical this week after agreeing to join Morecambe ahead of several other interested clubs.

The 21-year-old striker has had limited opportunities at Posh but enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Rochdale last season, scoring nine goals in 20 League Two appearances.

He moved to Peterborough after a prolific career in non-league with Bedford and Kettering.

McIlroy said: "Rene Howe is powerful and gives us a different angle. He did very well for Rochdale last season and did well against us.

"One or two might be leaving as well but that is football. People have done well for Morecambe but the club is in a different ball game now."

The Shrimps' vice-chairman Graham Hodgson said: "We have now agreed a fee for Carl with Stockport after turning down several bids which we didn't feel were acceptable.

"We are a club that never wants to stand in a player's way when the chance to progress his career is available but at the same time we have to consider the best interests of the club on every occasion which we did here.

"Carl was excellent for us last year and made the step-up to the Football League well and we really do wish him well.

"We also didn't want Carl to leave unless we had someone of quality to replace him in the squad and with that in mind, we are delighted to have signed Rene Howe.

"He made a real mark at Rochdale last season and he has chosen us ahead of a number of other clubs which is great news."

The Shrimps hosted Doncaster last night, Tuesday, and welcome Tranmere on Saturday as their pre-season campaign continues.

They make the short trip to Lancaster City next Tuesday.