By Paul Jones
New Saints manager Craig Harrison has insisted selling striker Brad Young to the Saudi Pro League is a “win-win” for everyone involved.
Young has joined Al-Orobah for a record Cymru Premier League fee of about £190,000.
The striker was Welsh football’s leading scorer last season with 22 goals and has helped TNS to secure a place in the Europa Conference League group stage.
Harrison said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Brad.
“I think his signing has been beneficial for both parties. He’s done fantastically well for us, and he’s now got another opportunity to try and better himself.
“Not only that, but the club has also received a really good transfer fee for him so I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
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After loan spells at Ayr and Carlisle, Young joined TNS in September 2023 and his goals helped them become the first Cymru Premier League side to reach the group stage of a European competition, where their opponents include Fiorentina.
Young joins the former Premier League trio Kurt Zouma, Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson and Jean Michaël Seri at Al-Orobah, who have lost their opening two Saudi Pro League games.
The former Aston Villa academy graduate was 17 when he was randomly attacked in a Solihull park in May 2020 and sustained a 12cm knife wound. Young needed an operation and three blood transfusions to survive, saying in July: “As I was lying there I was asking whether I could play football again.”
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A club statement read: “The New Saints FC can confirm the permanent transfer of striker Brad Young to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah in a record breaking transfer deal.
“Last year’s Cymru Premier player of the season and golden boot winner departs Park Hall for a fee of $250,000 (£190,000) with potential future add-ons.
“The deal is a record for the largest transfer fee received by a club in Welsh domestic football.”
Young told the official TNS website: “I’d like to thank The New Saints for the opportunity to develop as a player. I wish the club, staff and fans all the best for the future.”
TNS start their European fixtures away to Italian giants Fiorentina on October 3 and also play FC Astana (Kazakhstan), Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland), Djurgarden (Sweden), Panathinaikos (Greece) and NK Celje (Slovenia) before Christmas.
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