Former Coleraine star feels Adam Brooks has to ignore 'big fee' noise - and why deal is 'bittersweet' for Crusaders

The 22-year-old joined the Crues from Queen of the South last summer and scored seven goals in 37 league appearances throughout his debut campaign.

Former Celtic youngster Brooks began the current term by netting a hat-trick against Portadown and has now signed a long-term contract at The Showgrounds.

Brooks adds further firepower to a Coleraine squad which already includes the likes of Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin, who combined to score 41 league goals last season as the Co Londonderry club finished second.

His arrival came after Conor McMenamin’s shock exit to Glentoran was confirmed following just 70 days on Coleraine’s books.

The fee paid to Crusaders reportedly set a new Irish League record, but Beverland hopes Brooks can solely focus on performances at his new club.

"I think as much as they (players) can, they have to put that out of the forefront of their mind,” said Beverland. "I think that's between the clubs.

"Players are not really part of, obviously, that negotiating of fees and everything, but it is a big fee.

"Hopefully he can see that as testament to how well he's done.

"He’s coming into a full-time environment around other experienced players and it’s only going to help him...it’s a move he had to go for.

"He seems like a good kid, I watched his interview. You want it to work out for every player.

"You want it to work out for Conor at Glentoran and Adam Brooks as well at Coleraine, it's very exciting.”

Brooks’ deadline day departure is undoubtedly a blow to Crusaders, who have started the season by winning three of their opening four games.

It marked a second significant financial windfall of the summer window for the North Belfast club after Fraser Bryden joined Chesterfield for a fee of £120,000 plus future add-ons.

Crues manager Declan Caddell seems to have unearthed another gem in Owen Wardell – the Scottish winger has made an impressive start to life in the Irish League.

Beverland won a Gibson Cup during his time with the Crues and hopes his former club can handle the loss of Brooks.

"Fair play to Decky, or whoever his scout is, or whoever's doing the work,” added Beverland. “But I think it's probably bittersweet.

"They're getting a tremendous fee, but it's at the end of the window and they're not able to probably push that back into getting a player in.

"It's just unfortunate because they haven't been able to have time to get something done.

"It's hard to know how long this deal was in the pipeline for – with the McMenamin thing, it probably happened very fast, which isn’t great for Crusaders.

"They've had a full pre-season, built a team and Brooks has been a big part of their success.

"But I guess it's an opportunity for other players now, somebody's coming in who probably wasn't going to be and it's a chance for them.

"Maybe in January, Crusaders can do something with that money and bring in a player to strengthen them too.”