Faith is shown in Bowyer's judgement as Albion find Shade

BURTON Albion dipped into the National League yesterday to bring 25-year-old forward Tyrese Shade to the club.

- By COLSTON CRAWFORD

They have paid Eastleigh what the non-League club have described as a record incoming fee for the 25-year-old, although there is no indication of the actual amount.

Shade has signed a two-year deal with the Brewers, with the option of a third, which has been the pattern with incoming signings so far from sporting director Richard Dorman and the new recruitment team.

It is plainly the sort of move in which the club's owners are putting their trust in the judgement of manager Gary Bowyer, who says he has been watching Shade's progress for four years.

The player, described as a winger, has scored 25 career goals but only eight in more than 100 Football League appearances.

The transfer inevitably draws comparisons with that of Josh Walker, signed by Dino Maamria for the Brewers from Dagenham & Redbridge for £200,000 in 2023.

Maamria thought he would be a revelation but Walker never settled and scored only three goals in 35 appearances before departing.

Bowyer, however, sees something he can work with in Shade and supporters will hope he is right as much as the owners.

Birmingham-born Shade scored 14 goals and provided eight assists for Eastleigh as they finished 11th in the National League last season.