Brad Young (footballer)

Bradley Jamie Ethan Young (born 6 January 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Cymru Premier club The New Saints.

Young is a product of the Aston Villa Academy, being part of the side that won the 2020-21 FA Youth Cup, he also spent time with West Bromwich Albion as a junior. He made one senior appearance for Aston Villa in the FA Cup in 2021 and played senior football on loan at Carlisle United and Ayr United before moving to The New Saints in 2023.

Early career
Having been on the books of West Bromwich Albion before being released at age 12, he joined Aston Villa after a spell playing MJPL football for FDC academy and became a regular at U18 and then U23 level. He made his senior debut as a substitute in a 4–1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on 8 January 2021.

Young was a part of the Aston Villa team that won the 2020-21 FA Youth Cup - scoring a penalty in the 2–1 final victory over Liverpool U18s on 24 May 2021, he scored six goals across the tournament, only bettered by his teammate Carney Chukwuemeka's seven.

On 7 July 2021, he was one of several young players who signed a new contract with Aston Villa.

Loans
On 16 August 2021, Young joined League Two team Carlisle United on a season-long loan. He made his football league debut the following day, as a substitute in a goalless draw against Port Vale. On 28 September 2021, Young scored his first goals for Carlisle United - scoring twice in a 2–0 victory over Everton U21 in the EFL Trophy. Young returned to Aston Villa from his loan early on 4 January 2022, after the two clubs mutually agreed that Young would not be guaranteed enough playing time in the upcoming months.

On 1 September 2022, Young joined Scottish Championship club Ayr United on a season-long loan. Young scored his first professional league goal on 17 September, in a 3–2 defeat to Raith Rovers. On 17 January 2023, Young's loan was cut short and he returned to Aston Villa.

On 16 June 2023, Young was released by Aston Villa. In July 2023, Young had a trial with EFL League One club Exeter City, however the club opted against offering him a contract.

The New Saints
On 2 September 2023, Young signed for Cymru Premier club The New Saints. On 8 September, Young made his debut for the club, coming off the bench to score in a 3–0 win over Hibernian U21 in the Scottish Challenge Cup. He made his Welsh league debut on 13 September, in a 0–0 draw against Bala Town. On 22 September, Young scored his first league goals for the club, scoring twice in a 5–1 away victory over Cardiff Metropolitan University.

On 21 October 2023, Young scored his first career hattrick in a 6–2 league victory over Barry Town United, meaning he had scored 9 goals in his first 10 games in Welsh football. On 20 January 2024, Young won the first senior trophy of his career, scoring a goal in a 5–1 victory over Swansea City U21s in the final of the Welsh League Cup. On 21 April 2024, The New Saints completed an unbeaten season to win the Cymru Premier. Young won the Cymru Premier Golden Boot despite joining the league one month into the season. On 9 June, Young was awarded the Cymru Premier Young Player of the Season award.

On 9 July 2024, Young scored two goals on his European debut, in a 3–0 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round first leg victory over Dečić.

Personal life
Young was seriously injured in June 2020, at the age of 17, after being stabbed three times during a mugging in Elmdon Park, Solihull. Young was told that doctors were unsure he would survive the stabbing and later overheard doctors discussing the possibility that he would have to use a colostomy bag. He made a full recovery and was able to play again for the Aston Villa academy the following season.

Honours
Aston Villa U18 The New Saints
 * FA Youth Cup: 2020–21


 * Welsh League Cup: 2023–24
 * Cymru Premier: 2023–24

Individual


 * Cymru Premier Player of the Month: January 2024
 * Cymru Premier Golden Boot: 2023–24
 * Cymru Premier Young Player of the Season: 2023–24