Barnsley: Heckingbottom's delight as Reds win race to sign Tom Bradshaw from Walsall

Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom is delighted the Reds have won the race to land highly-sought after striker Tom Bradshaw.
Tom Bradshaw has signed for BarnsleyTom Bradshaw has signed for Barnsley
Tom Bradshaw has signed for Barnsley

The club completed the signing of the talented 23-year-old on a three-year deal from play-off rivals Walsall last night after the Welshman passed a medical and agreed personal terms at Oakwell.

The fee is rumoured to be in the region of £650,000 with add-ons for the prolific hitman.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bradshaw became the eighth addition to Heckingbottom’s squad after the summer signings of Andy Yiadom, Stefan Payne, Kayden Jackson, George Moncur, Elliot Lee, Elliot Kebbie, and Dylan Mottley-Henry.

And Heckingbottom believes he will fit in perfectly with the playing philosophy at Oakwell.

“We’re really pleased with it,” said Heckingbottom, who led Barnsley to Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and play-off success last term.

“He’s been a top marksman in League One, he’s proven himself at that level and he fits in with what we’re about as a football team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We want to play two up front and Tom will add undoubted strength to our strike force.

“He scores goals and that’s what we want here. Tactically he plays a different game, he likes to play on the shoulder, he stretches the defence and makes them play deeper.

“He’s also got the energy and the work rate that we demand of our players so he’s the perfect fit for the football club.

“He’s a clever player with an eye for goal and I’m sure he will become a fans’ favourite.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Barnsley had to fight off serious interest from fellow Championship club and South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham, who tabled a club record bid understood to be £500,000, for the front man’s signature.

The Reds have been chasing the highly-rated forward all summer and had two previous bids, £300,000 and £350,000, firmly rejected by Walsall.

But Bradshaw, who joined the Saddlers from Shrewsbury in 2014, confirmed his desire to leave the League One side in order to seek a move to the Championship on Wednesday as he handed in a formal written transfer request.

The Reds were the quickest to react with an improved offer for the player, who bagged 20 goals for the Saddlers last season, as Heckingbottom looks to bolster his front line.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Heckingbottom could further add to his strike force in the form of Jinty Caenepeel - who was in the crowd for Barnsley’s 2-0 victory over Guiseley AFC.

The Belgian youngster impressed during his first season in Holland, scoring 15 goals.

The Reds have reportedly already had an offer in the region of £500,000 turned down by FC Eindhoven for the 19-year-old.