Bradley's advice to badly advised

HOOPS BOSS SLAMS AGENTS AND SUGGESTS YOUNG IRISH ACES NEED HOME SCHOOLED

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

STEPHEN BRADLEY has criticised agents who drive deals for Irish players to move to continental Europe before turning 18.

Instead, the Shamrock Rovers boss hailed Victor Ozhianvuna and Mason Melia for the patient way they went about their big money moves to Arsenal and Tottenham.

Hoops starlet Ozhianvuna, 16, yesterday sealed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners in a €2million transfer that broke the League of Ireland record.

That was held by Melia, with the St Pat's striker, 18, set to join Spurs in January for €1.9 million while Ozhianyuna will move to Arsenal in January 2027, once he turns 18.

Brexit rules mean Irish players cannot join British clubs until they hit that age.

But they can move to European based outfits before that - and a host of youngsters have done so.

For the most part, they leave for small sums of money and Bradley feels some of those players are “being sold a dream” as so many have had unsuccessful spells away.