TNS complete double signed as former striker makes return

Hotshot striker Brad Young has sealed a return to The New Saints less than two years after he left for a Cymru Premier transfer record.

Young, 23, made the switch to Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Orobah in September 2024 for a move worth an initial £190,000 plus add-ons.

It was the largest fee ever received by a Welsh top flight club after Young had smashed in 31 goals in 36 games on his way to winning the league’s player of the year.

Young netted twice in 17 games for the Saudi Pro League side in 2024/25 but his time there was shrouded in controversy after Saints claims to have not received the full fee were upheld by Fifa and the governing body slapped the club with a ban on registering international players.

The former Aston Villa youngster moved to Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates after Al-Orobah’s relegation last summer, but he featured just six times for Baniyas.

The frontman returned to Welsh football in a move to Caernarfon Town in January and he scored four times in 13 games - including against Saints - for the Cyrmu Premier outfit as they clinched the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history.

And now Craig Harrison’s champions TNS have brought the striker back to Oswestry in a hope he can rekindle the red-hot form he showed three seasons ago.

Harrison said: "We know exactly what Brad brings - his ability, his character, and the contribution he made in the season we reached the Conference League isn’t something you forget.

“We already have very good attacking options with Ben Wilson and Jordan Williams, but Brad gives us greater depth, more flexibility, and the ability to play different shapes and systems. At the end of the day, your strikers win you games - and now we've got real competition for places, which can only be a good thing.

“I have a great relationship with Brad. He works as hard as he is talented, and when the opportunity came up it was a no-brainer to bring him home.”

The former Villa striker explained that he always wanted to have the chance to come back to the club.

"I never stopped following The New Saints after I left, and if I'm being honest, a part of me always hoped I'd get the chance to come back,” Young said.

“This club gave me some of the best moments of my career and I'm hungry to create more. The fans have always been incredible with me and I can't wait to get back out there and repay that support. It’s a fresh start for me and I’m even more hungry than I’ve been to succeed.”

Elsewhere, the Saints have also confirmed the arrival of Rhys Hughes from rivals Connahs Quay Nomads.

The 24-year-old arrives at Park Hall having made 72 appearances for the Nomads over the last two seasons, scoring 33 goals.

Hughes began his career in the youth academy at Everton and signed a two-and-a-half-year professional contract in January 2020.

After spending a season with the U23s, he moved to Tranmere before loan spells with both Chester and Curzon Ashton, before the former Welsh under 21 international arrived at Connahs Quay in 2024.

Saints boss Harrison said: "He can play in multiple positions, he's the right age and profile, so it was a no-brainer really. He's more than proved himself at this level and we're really looking forward to working with him."