| Citizen Sharp becomes a Saint |
| Friday 29 January 2010 |
 IN one of the January window's highest-profile moves, Bangor City's leading scorer this season and last, Chris Sharp has made a switch to Welsh Premier front runners The New Saints. It is the second time the current league leaders have tried to sign the son of ex-Everton and Scotland player and Bangor City manager Graeme. But, after failing in a bid to capture the 23-year-old last season, they have now signed an 18-month deal with Sharp, who has notched 33 goals from 40 Welsh Premier appearances since joining the Citizens from Rhyl in the summer of 2008. He missed the whole of league season 2006/7 after breaking a leg in Rhyl's Uefa Cup campaign but, despite returning to action at the start of the following season, was released from Belle Vue by mutual consent the following summer. Sharp set a hot pace in the race for the Golden Boot last season with 20 goals from 23 games, before breaking his arm in a tackle at Carmarthen Town which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. But he quickly returned to form when back in the side and has 13 goals to his credit from 17 (+1) appearances this season. Sharp has been keen to secure a full time football contract, having had several trials at Football League clubs, and The New Saints say they are "thrilled" that he has chosen to take the full time opportunity that they are able to offer him. "We are delighted that Chris has agreed to join us at The New Saints, his goal scoring record in the Welsh Premier is superb and he will give us another dimension up front" said assistant manager Mike Davies. "Bangor City are sorry that Chris has decided to leave the club; however, we agreed in the summer when he re-signed that we would not stand in the way of his progression," says a City spokesperson. Under the terms of the deal, Sharp will not be allowed to play when TNS host his former club on Valentine's Day. Photo: TNS assistant manager Mike Davies welcome Sharp to Park Hall today. |