BetMcLean Cup winners to receive massive European boost as part of competition shake-up
In what has been described as the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the competition's history that will also see the Play-Offs sponsored by BetMcLean, for the first time the stakes have been raised for the champions beyond just the prestige of winning the trophy.
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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool miss out on windfall as secret £40m transfer clause ignored
Liverpool included a clause in their transfer agreement with Sheffield United from five years ago and unfortunately for Arne Slot it did not pay off in the end as the Reds failed to receive a boost Liverpool have missed out on a handy cash windfall after former player Rhian Brewster departed Sheffield United. The forward signed for Derby County on a free transfer earlier this week after failing to agree to a new contract with the Blades ahead of another season in the Championship. Brewster has signed a two-year contract with the Rams and departed Bramall Lane after featuring 42 times for Sheffield United last season, as the side fell in the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. The 25-year-old scored just nine goals in 119 appearances for the Yorkshire side and joins a Derby squad that have already signed strikers in Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang from Luton Town and Charlotte FC in recent weeks. The striker was offered fresh terms by United, who he joined in 2020, but has instead chosen to make a move to the Midlands. And as a result Liverpool have missed out on the opportunity to rake in some cash. When Brewster joined Sheffield United in a £23.5million deal, the Reds ensured they were protected in the even the forward found success. The Anfield team included two clauses in the transfer agreement that saw the former Chelsea academy ace depart. As part of a club-record fee for the Blades, they were also rerquired to agree to a sell-on and buy-back clauses. Liverpool inserted the ability to see Brewster to return to Merseyside for £40m should they be persuaded his performances warranted the fee. And the Reds also ensured a a 15 per cent sell on-clause was in place but with Brewster leaving Sheffield United for free, that has unfortunately not paid off. Nevertheless, the ex-Liverpool forward has found another opportunity to prove himself. 'I'm very happy and very delighted to join this great club," Brewster said after joining Derby. "It's been busy but after speaking to all the boys and the manager and stuff like that, it was a no-brainer. "I feel this is a big opportunity for me - and one I had to grab with two hands. Hopefully, I can show that this year. 'I know Ben Osborn from being at Sheffield United and also Kane Wilson through playing with England at youth level. For me, the project that John Eustace has set out, for me, was a no-brainer to be involved with. It sounded really good and is something that I want to be a part of, heading to bigger and better things with this club. 'There is so much more for me to do - I've got a point to prove. I feel like I can always get better, no matter how old you are. There are always things to learn. I believe that will happen here with the manager, staff and players alongside helping me along the way.'
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland star hailed as ‘hungry and motivated' after sealing switch to Championship club
Northern Ireland star Ethan Galbraith has completed his move to Championship club Swansea from Leyton Orient with the Welsh club's manager Alan Sheenan hailing the new signing's 'terrific technical ability, hunger and motivation'. The initial fee is £1.6m which will rise to £2million with appearances with Galbraith signing a three-year deal which includes the option of an additional 12 months. The highly rated 24-year-old has been a long-time target for the Welsh outfit who initially attempted to sign him in January. With Leyton Orient losing in the League One Play-Off Final to Charlton in May and the midfielder having just 12 months left on his contract, he was always likely to transfer in the summer. After talks with the player and his agent Lee Mudd, Swansea have got their man as the Belfast Telegraph reported earlier this week. Galbraith shone in the 2024/25 season for Leyton Orient and will now look to kick on with Swansea, who are managed by Sheehan and would love to be in the promotion mix in the coming campaign. The former Manchester United player has become an important member of the Northern Ireland squad over the past year and will be key for boss Michael O'Neill during the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. The opening match is in September away to Luxembourg where the Belfast man excelled in 2024 in his first start for his country in a 2-2 draw in the Nations League. By then, Galbraith will aim to have featured in the Championship with his new club. In a statement to announce their capture, Swansea said they had 'beaten off competition from a number of clubs for the services of the Northern Ireland international', adding that Galbraith had been on their 'radar for a number of months'. 'We are delighted to have secured Ethan's services and added him to the squad early into our pre-season preparations,' Swansea head coach Sheehan told the club website. 'He has terrific technical ability which I am sure Swansea fans will appreciate and enjoy when they get to see him in action. 'Ethan is hungry and motivated for the challenge of stepping up to the Championship. He is excited to be joining Swansea City and we are looking forward to integrating him into the squad over the coming weeks.' Director of Football Richard Montague added: 'Swansea has a history of intelligent, technical players making their mark, and we believe Ethan has the ability and potential to develop into the latest of those. 'He joins us after an excellent spell with Leyton Orient, and the calibre of clubs who were interested in him underlines the quality he possesses. 'When Alan and I spoke to him, he made clear how much he wanted to be part of the club and the project here, and we are particularly pleased he will have time to settle into his new surroundings before the new season kicks off.' Global Head of Analysis and recruitment Adam Worth said: 'Ethan is a player our recruitment and scouting teams have followed keenly for a considerable amount of time, and it is great to see everyone's hard work come to fruition as he becomes a Swansea City player. 'We believe Ethan has qualities that make him an excellent fit for Swansea, and he is a player who is determined to work hard to make his mark in the Championship. 'We look forward to him integrating into our squad as we build towards the start of the new campaign.'
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
BetMcLean Cup winners to receive massive European boost as part of competition shake-up
The incentive to win the BetMcLean Cup has been raised after it was confirmed that, as part of a three-year extension of the sponsorship deal with the local bookmaker, the winner of the trophy will now automatically qualify for the end of season European Play-Off Final. In what has been described as the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the competition's history that will also see the Play-Offs sponsored by BetMcLean, for the first time the stakes have been raised for the champions beyond just the prestige of winning the trophy.
