Brad Young is ready to join a hard-working squad at Bristol Rovers that is determined to compete in Sky Bet League Two.
The goalkeeper completed a move to the Pirates on Thursday, joining from Leicester City on a two-year contract, joining the options available to Head Coach Darrell Clarke in-between the sticks.
The 23-year-old former England youth international becomes Rovers’ fourth signing of the summer after Jack Spakes, Alfie Kilgour and Macauley Southam-Hales. Speaking in his first interview with BRTV, Young revealed he is excited to get going at The Quarters.
With pre-season now underway, Young is excited to meet his new teammates and wants to play as many games as possible.
So, Brad, first of all, welcome to Bristol Rovers. How does it feel to be here?
"It’s brilliant. The facilities are brilliant. I know Bristol is a lovely place to be, and I’m just excited to get going now."
What made you want to come to Bristol Rovers?
"I spoke with the staff and James Bittner and there’s a real project here, something I want to be part of for my development and to go forward over the years in my career."
What were the conversations like with Darrell Clarke and Ricky Martin?
"It’s all been really positive. We’re excited to get down [to it]. It’s a bit of a reset that’s happened. Speaking to them, we all can’t wait to get going in pre-season and going into the season, hopefully, we can get a good year under our belts."
You have been part of some fantastic goalkeeper unions so far in your career. How much has that helped you?
"It’s helped massively. I’ve worked with some big characters and big goalkeepers. It’s definitely put me in good stead, and I like to take little bits from each one and hopefully mould my own career."
As a goalkeeper, how would you describe your style?
"I would like to say well-rounded. I would like to say that I have a variety of good strengths and can play in different styles, different shapes and team structures. So, I would like to think I can adapt to any situation I’m put into."
What personality do you think you will be able to add to the dressing room as well?
"You can’t be serious all the time. I like to be bubbly around the lads and pick them up if they are low. I’ll bring a hard work ethic, and hopefully, we’ll have a successful year together."
You mentioned the lads there. How excited are you to meet them?
"I can’t wait. Obviously, I met a few faces today coming in. There are a few new faces coming in. So, it’s going to be a good group. It’s looking really strong this early. So, it should be good. Get a good pre-season under our belts and see what happens."
It’s a fresh season for everyone. What’s the ambition from your point of view?
"Personally, I think it’s to get games under my belt, keep developing, but collectively as a group, as a Club, it’s got to be promotion to get back into League One and really put our Club back where we belong."
We mentioned goalkeeper unions before. How important is it to have a real together group?
"We’ve got to push each other every day, nearly 360 days a year. We’re there together in the mornings and afternoons, and we’ll be working hard on the pitch and off the pitch as well. Hopefully, we’ll have a successful year."
How excited are you to get going when pre-season starts?
"Obviously, we’ll get the hard work out of the way in the first couple of days, but I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, I’ll get some minutes under my belt, surround myself with good people at the Club and really push on."
Finally, have you got a message to the Gasheads?
"Just get behind us this year, and I’m sure we’ll have a successful year as a collective. So, I can’t wait."
