Medical date booked for Crusaders star ahead of completing £120,000 League Two transfer
Crusaders striker Fraser Bryden is set to undergo a medical at Chesterfield on Monday as he edges closer to a £120,000 move to the League Two club.
Bryden attracted transfer interest from a host of clubs in both England and the League of Ireland, but Chesterfield are poised to win the race after agreeing personal terms on a three-year contract with the Scottish striker.
The 22-year-old scored 23 goals in 36 Premiership appearances during his maiden Irish League campaign and helped Crusaders preserve top flight status following a promotion/relegation play-off triumph over Annagh United.
Bryden signed a two-year deal with the North Belfast club last summer after joining from Ayr United, meaning the Crues could demand a sizeable fee for their prize asset – they’ll receive potential add-ons as part of the move.
Sky Sports have reported that Bryden will travel to England on Sunday ahead of completing his medical on Monday and finalising his transfer.
Bryden's departure will come as a major blow to Declan Caddell’s side less than two weeks before they begin their Premiership campaign – and it follows the exit of goalkeeper Musa Dibaga, who joined Dunfermline Athletic earlier this month.
He’ll form a strike partnership at Chesterfield with ex-Irish League star Lee Bonis – the Northern Ireland attacker joined Paul Cook’s men from ADO Den Haag last summer, scoring 13 goals across his maiden League Two campaign.
Bryden arrived at Crusaders having netted once in 17 Scottish League One matches during a loan spell from Ayr at Queen of the South.
His development follows the success story of Kieran Offord, who made a six-figure move to Linfield from St Mirren after impressing at Seaview.
Caddell has been consistent in his approach that he won’t stand in the way of a positive move for his players with Bryden the subject of transfer speculation throughout most of last season.
"Listen, they're my players,” he said in November after being asked about Bryden. “You always want the best for them.
"If there's a bigger and better opportunity for my players, I'd be the first one to push them out the door.
"I'm not selfish whatsoever that way. If they're able to move on to bigger and better things than we can provide here, then brilliant.
"I've been part of their journey and that's what I am as a coach. I try to develop young players and let them lift the levels and move on to bigger and better things.
"I've managed to do that the past year and the coaching staff have managed to do that the past year.
"For me, he's a Crusaders player at the minute. He'll remain a Crusaders player at the minute. There will be interest around him, but he's content.
"He's a good lad, he's an honest lad, he'll want to develop and he'll always make the right choice as it comes along what's best for him.”
Northern Ireland international Will Grigg also remains on Chesterfield’s books with the 35-year-old scoring four goals in 34 league appearances last term as the Derbyshire outfit reached the play-offs before losing to Notts County.