Striker in post Aston Villa transfer as he finds new club after summer exit
PARK HALL, OSWESTRY, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND - 13th MARCH 2023 - A general view of Park Hall before The New Saints FC vs Bala Town in Round 26 of the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference at Park Hall, Oswestry (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
Brad Young has completed a move to The New Saints following his release from Aston Villa.
His move to Park Hall was confirmed on Saturday and was registered before Friday’s transfer deadline. The centre-forward is the seventh signing of the summer for the reigning Cymru Premier champions.
The 20-year-old was released by Villa this summer having spent eight years of his career at Villa Park. He featured for Villa’s first team in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool in the FA Cup in January 2021.
His other experience of senior-level football was loan spells at Carlisle United and Ayr United, with three goals and an assist in the Football League. He was prolific at under-18’s and under-21’s level with 42 goals and 12 assists in 74 games.
“I am really excited to be joining The New Saints,” said Young to the official TNS club website.
“I am happy to have signed a deal here, and I can’t wait to get started and be back on the pitch with the passion that I have for it.”
Embed from Getty ImagesYoung’s arrival bolsters Craig Harrison’s front line and provides him with another option, having been dealt a blow with an injury to Declan McManus. The back-to-back Golden Boot winner suffered a groin injury against Pontypridd United and has been ruled out since.
“We have been working hard on it all week, and it came down to the very last minutes of the deadline, but we are very pleased to get the signing of Brad over the line,” head coach Craig Harrison said.
“Brad has a great pedigree. He’s been with an English Premier League club for a long time and has also been selected as part of the England U20 squad.
“He is still only young, but has lots of potential and we are looking forward to working with him on a daily basis.
“I think it’s a really good fit for both club and the player.”
Young was the second player to be signed near the transfer deadline after Luke Brennan had joined on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic.
The 21-year-old penned a new one-year contract at the DW Stadium before heading out on loan and created 20 goals for them in Wigan’s under-21’s Central League campaign.
He had been part of the first team’s plans in pre-season and played against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup in August.
Earlier in the transfer window, Benny Cuoto was loaned from National League side Benny Cuoto, whilst Blackburn Rovers also lent Jared Harlock to TNS.
In other news, Adam Roscrow has been loaned to National League South outfit Welling United until January.
