Latest news with #CymruPremier
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Striker Wilson undaunted by record TNS fee
Ben Wilson began his youth career with Coleraine [The New Saints] Striker Ben Wilson insists he will not be weighed down by the sizeable transfer fee that has seen him sign for The New Saints. Saints have recruited Wilson from Airdrieonians as they prepare for upcoming Champions League qualifiers. Advertisement Wilson, 23, has joined the Cymru Premier champions in a club-record deal, although the fee is officially undisclosed. "I tend not to think about that really," Wilson told BBC Sport Wales. "I'm just here to play football - That's all I've known and all I want to do. I just want to help the team and help myself as well. "Everybody can see from the outside that the club is very successful and we'll be looking to do better than last year." Wilson came through as a youngster at Brighton & Hove Albion but was hampered by injuries during his time with the Seagulls. Advertisement A Northern Ireland Under-17 and Under-19 international, he joined Cliftonville in the summer of 2023 before joining Airdrie the following season. He scored 17 goals in 46 games for the Scottish Championship side in 2024-25. Wilson is looking forward to playing in Europe with TNS, who became the first Welsh domestic side to play in the group stages of a European competition last season, when they took on the likes of Fiorentina and Panathinaikos in the Conference League. "It was a big factor in coming here," Wilson added. "I wanted to test myself at this level – the Champions League and the Europa Conference League as well. Advertisement "It's a very high level – you only have to look at some of the teams that the club played against last year... unbelievable games. I'd love to be involved in those." Ben Wilson was joint-top goalscorer in last season's Scottish League Cup with six goals [Getty Images] Saints have been drawn against KF Shkendija of North Macedonia in the Champions League first qualifying round. Wilson linked up with his new team-mates in his native Northern Ireland as Saints faced Larne and Linfield in friendlies. "I'm really enjoying it so far, it's good to be around the boys," Wilson added. "We've had a good few games now and I've been involved in a couple myself. "Everything's gearing towards those games in the Champions League so we're all looking forward to those. I can't wait for it." Advertisement Saints boss Craig Harrison says the signing of Wilson shows the scale of the club's ambition. "The club obviously did really well last year and won quite a bit of prize money – I believe it was in the region of 5m to 6m euros," Harrison said. "We had a bit of a hole in that position where we lost Brad Young and Declan McManus over the last two years, two lads who had done really well for us. "We've brought other strikers in and they've done really well but I just thought we needed a little bit more strength in depth in that area. Ben gives us another fantastic option."
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's Cardiff City news as first summer transfer announced and coach targeted
Tonight's Cardiff City news as first summer transfer announced and coach targeted The latest Bluebirds news from Cardiff City Stadium Cardiff City goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward (back, centre) is reportedly wanted by Millwall (Image: Getty Images ) Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Saturday, June 21. Goalkeeper joins Cymru Premier side Cardiff City academy goalkeeper Luke Armstrong has joined Cymru Premier side Penybont. The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal with the Bridged club ahead of the upcoming campaign. Armstrong began his career at Wolves but made the move to the Welsh capital back in 2022 and has since turned out for both the under-18s and under-21s sides. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community Last season, after signing professional terms with the club, he suffered a frustrating injury lay-off, which saw him sidelined for two months. After recovering from the grade two MCL and MPFL tear, he became a regular fixture for the junior team thereafter. An injury-free campaign against senior players will be what the academy staff have in mind for the youngster over the next 12 months, using Welsh football's top tier to their loan advantage once more. Armstrong trained regularly with first-team goalkeepers Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath last term. Opening up on that experience recently, he said: "It's massive to be given a chance to train with the first team, it is just a different level. Article continues below "I'm lucky to work with Jak, Ethan and Matt [Turner] sometimes, they're experienced goalkeepers, Ethan at an international level and Jak has played through all the leagues, so, it's really good to pick their brains and watch them train, watch the tempo they train at, see how clean they are, and start taking things into my own game." Millwall target Cardiff coach Ward Millwall are reportedly eyeing Cardiff City goalkeeper coach Gavin Ward. Brian Barry-Murphy has already announced that he will bring in Lee Riley from Manchester City's academy setup and he will serve as the head coach's first-team assistant. Barry-Murphy is likely to take stock of the staff in place over the coming days and weeks before making any more appointments to his backroom team. The likes of Darren Purse and Tom Ramasut, who were part of Omer Riza's staff, won't be involved at first-team level. However, Ward was kept on by Aaron Ramsey, who threw together his own patchwork staff for the final three games of the campaign. Earlier this week, Barry-Murphy said he would hold talks with the current staff before considering whether to make additions or improvements on that front. Now, South London journalist Rich Cawley has claimed Ward is the subject of interest from Championship outfit Millwall. Ward's last job before joining Cardiff, for whom he turned out as a player, of course, was in London at QPR, where he worked as a goalkeeper coach for nine years. "I'm waiting to meet the rest of the staff," Barry-Murphy said earlier this week. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community "Jonny Northeast (head of performance), Gavin Ward, people like that. I know there's discussion around [Ward], his contract is expiring. But I've not spoken to him yet." It is understood that Cardiff are hopeful of adding another member of staff to Brian Barry-Murphy's team —not a goalkeeper coach— and are currently in negotiations to get him out of his current contract. We are told it is yet to be decided if Ward will stay on past the end of the month. Rinomhota pens message to fans Andy Rinomhota has issued a statement following the announcement that he will leave at the end of the month. Rinomhota becomes the ninth and final out-of-contract player to be told that his deal will not be getting renewed and he has written a message to supporters following the decision. "My time at Cardiff City comes to an end after three years full of ups, downs, and lessons I'll carry with me. It wasn't always perfect and there were challenges, but I'll always be grateful for the journey," he wrote. "Thank you to everyone who's been involved along the way. To the fans, staff, and players I shared the pitch with, it was an honour and thank you for being part of this chapter. "I leave with nothing but respect and gratitude towards the club and fans. "Wishing the club all the best for the future and hoping they get back to where they belong. Best wishes, Bluebirds." Davies: Ralls leaves as a legend Cardiff City players have flocked to social media to pay tribute to Joe Ralls upon the news he will be leaving the club after 15 years of service. It is testament to the player and the man just how many have issued their heartfelt thanks for the impact he has had on them and here is a selection from the dressing room. "Roomie, thank you for everything. You've helped me and taken me under your wing from the start and I'll always appreciate that. You leave the club as a legend. All the best, skip," Isaak Davies said. Jak Alnwick said: "An absolute legend on and off the pitch. Going to be a massive miss. Been a pleasure sharing a pitch and dressing room with you." Article continues below Callum O'Dowda wrote: "My right-hand man. Good luck." Ryan Wintle said: "Gonna miss my partner. All the best, skip." Ollie Tanner said: "A pleasure to share the dressing room with you mate. Thanks for everything and wish you all the best, brother." Joel Bagan added: "Thank you for everything, all the best, skip." Yakou Meite, Perry Ng, Aaron Ramsey, Eli King and Rinomhota all called him a "legend" in their brief Instagram tributes.
Powys County Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Shane Sutton departs Newtown to join hometown Robins
KNIGHTON Town Football Club has completed the marquee signing of Shane Sutton. The 36 year old joins the Ardal North East League club from JD Cymru North club Newtown. Sutton departs Latham Park as one of the club's modern era legends having played a key role in the golden era under the helm of Chris Hughes which saw the Robins regularly qualify for Europe. Sutton enjoyed several spells at Newtown with stints at Presteigne St Andrews and AFC Telford United following his release by Shrewsbury Town in 2007. Sutton will remain a Robin though with Knighton Town known as the Radnor Robins. Knighton Town boss Harry Stokes said: "We're all happy to have Shane on board to help me and the other coaches out, he's been on the club committee for a few years now and has spent some free time helping us out on the coaching side of things. "Shane is also running some junior training camps this summer for the young kids of Knighton. "With Shane's family commitments and work commitments he may not be available all the time which is why this move makes sense for him." Sutton becomes the latest exit from Newtown with fellow defender Dominic Smith also departing this week for JD Cymru Premier club Caernarfon Town and follows Dylan Downs, Calvin Smith, Desean Martin, Zeli Ismael, Jason Oswell, George Hughes and Aaron Williams out of the door.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New Saints sign Airdrieonians striker Wilson in 'club record' deal
Airdrieonians striker Ben Wilson has joined The New Saints for what the Cymru Premier side says is a club record transfer, although the fee has not been 23-year-old moves to Park Hall after a year at the Scottish Championship side where he scored 17 goals in 46 games after signing from Cliftonville in June Brighton youth product has been capped by Northern Ireland at Under-17 and Under-19 said: "I'm buzzing to be here at Park Hall and to complete a move to The New Saints."All of the lads have been really welcoming so far, and I can't wait to get started now. I'm excited to see what we can achieve this season." TNS head coach Craig Harrison said the club is excited to have added a proven goalscorer ahead of another European campaign, where they have been drawn against KF Shkendija of North Macedonia in the Champions League qualifiers."We are very pleased to get the signing of Ben over the line. He's a player that's been on our radar for a few months now," Harrison said."He has a proven goal involvement record in both the Northern Irish Premiership with Cliftonville and the Scottish Championship with Airdrie, scoring double figures plus in a struggling team last season."He's also had a fantastic upbringing with Brighton, and is a natural goalscorer who can score lots of different types of goals. He will add competition to our already outstanding strike force."Chairman Mike Harris said Wilson's signing is "a real statement of intent" and "shows that the JD Cymru Premier is becoming a significant league".
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie announce Ben Wilson exit as striker joins The New Saints for club record fee
The striker as left New Broomfield for the Welsh Premier League Striker Ben Wilson has completed a move from Airdrieonians to The New Saints in a club record fee for the Welsh side. The 23-year-old striker has joined the side the Diamonds defeated in the 2024 SPFL Trust Trophy final for an undisclosed fee, although it is understood to be worth six figures to Airdrie. Wilson made a big impression when he arrived in Monklands last summer, netting a hat-trick on his competitive debut in a thumping 8-0 win over East Kilbride in the Premier sports League Cup. He also netted in each of his first four games for the club. But the former Cliftonville man has now completed a switch to the Welsh Premier side, who unveiled the striker with an announcement video this afternoon. A club statement from Airdrie read: "Following a successful season in the Championship, striker Ben Wilson has moved to Welsh side TNS for an undisclosed fee. "Northern Irish frontman Wilson notched 17 goals in his solitary season at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, finishing as the side's top scorer following his move from Cliftonville last June."The 23-year-old's exploits caught the eye of Cymru Premier champions TNS, who were keen to add to their firepower ahead of another European campaign."We wish Ben the best of luck as he begins a new chapter in his career, and we thank him for some big moments in the season past."
