Crusaders FC have confirmed the permanent transfer of striker Adam Brooks to league rivals Coleraine FC in a deal reported to set a new Irish League record. The 22-year-old Scottish forward departs Seaview after a single season where he contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances. The News Letter reported the move on deadline day, with Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins describing Brooks as a natural centre-forward. Crusaders currently sit fourth in the Premiership, just one point behind leaders Coleraine, having won three of their opening four games.
Crusaders released a statement across their social media platforms thanking Brooks for his efforts, professionalism, and commitment during his time at the club. They wished him all the best for his next chapter. Coleraine's own announcement highlighted the player's strong work ethic and eye for goal, noting his recent hat-trick against Portadown as evidence of his scoring instinct. The transfer fee remains undisclosed, but to surpass the previous benchmark of around £100,000, set by deals for players like Lee Bonis and Shay McCartan.
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins was clear about his need to strengthen his attacking options. He stated that before Brooks' arrival, Matthew Shevlin was probably the club's only natural number nine. "Adam is a natural centre-forward and he’s a different player to Matthew (Shevlin)," Higgins said. The club felt they needed to add to the centre-forward department and identified the Crusaders man as their target. Higgins confirmed the significant investment, adding, "We’ve invested in this signing but we feel it is a worthy investment because he’s only 22 years old, he’s signing a long-term contract and I think he can go to another level." Coleraine hope the move becomes a long-term home for the young striker.
Adam Brooks joined Crusaders ahead of the 2025/26 season as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Scottish side Queen of the South. The former Celtic youth product, who represented Scotland at under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels, quickly became a key figure. His 23 direct goal contributions in 47 games were a solid return, capped by a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Portadown on August 22nd. That result is part of Crusaders' recent form of three wins and two losses from their last five matches. Fans can review the team's full schedule on our fixtures page.
The sale of a productive attacker comes as Crusaders are firmly in the early title race. They have scored eight goals and conceded six in the league this season, giving them a +2 goal difference. Losing a player of Brooks' calibre requires adjustment, but the squad remains competitive. Their next challenge is a home match against third-placed Dungannon Swifts on September 15th. Supporters can track the evolving league picture on our standings page. The club's statement indicated they are now looking forward, with the focus shifting to the players who remain at Seaview for the campaign ahead.
The reported record fee shows the increasing financial activity within the Irish League. While not officially confirmed, the deal for Brooks is believed to have exceeded the six-figure sums paid for Lee Bonis, who moved from Portadown to Larne, and Shay McCartan's transfer from Ballymena United to Glentoran. This investment by Coleraine signals their ambition to challenge at the top, a position they currently hold. For Crusaders, the transaction represents a significant piece of business as they manage their squad. The team's current attacking options and statistics can be viewed on our stats page. Adam Brooks has now begun the next phase of his career with a long-term contract at The Showgrounds.
