Dundee have bolstered their attack with the capture of striker Ashley Hay from Brentford.
The 21-year-old will join former Brentford B team pal Tony Yogane at Dens Park, after the winger sealed a loan move on Monday.
Hay has signed a permanent two-year deal with the Dark Blues after a fee was agreed with the Premier League outfit.
Both players are well-known to new head coach Steven Pressley with the Dens boss having worked with them during his four years with the Bees.
Hay told DeeTV: “Excited to be here, can’t wait to meet all the boys.
“I was with Steven at Brentford. He came to me and my agent and I couldn’t wait to get down.
“We had a good chat. He explained what he wants from me, what he sees in me.
“I trust in him fully and can’t wait to get started.
“I’m a striker, I’m energetic, quick, good in the air and hopefully I’ll get some goals.
“I want to give the fans something to cheer about.”
Who is Hay?
The English forward will turn 22 in a few days and spent the early part of his career in non-league after leaving Luton Town’s academy setup.
He scored 35 times in just 64 appearances for Baldock Town in the ninth tier before stepping up to Biggleswade Town and then firing in 11 goals in 39 appearances for Hitchin Town in the seventh tier.
A trial at Brentford after that was successful and Hay joined the club’s B Team. He has since had three contract extensions.
In 2023/24 he tied with Iwan Morgan as the B team’s top scorer with nine goals and would feature in a pre-season friendly for Thomas Frank’s first team last summer. He has also captained the B team at times.
That saw him replace Kevin Schade and play alongside Sepp van den Berg, Ben Mee and Fabio Carvalho.
Hay followed that with 14 goals in 15 appearances for the B team before going out on loan in League Two in the second half of last season.
At Cheltenham Town, Hay scored three goals in 23 appearances (11 starts) as The Robins finished 15th.
The first of those three strikes was a late winner against new team-mate Emile Acquah’s Barrow.
What type of player is he?
At 5ft 9in, Hay will bring something different to fellow new striker Acquah.
Hay was described by his team-mates at Brentford as “quick, aggressive and passionate” while he sees his aerial ability and pace as his main assets.
Asked to describe his playing style in one word, he chose “hungry”.
He will, though, have a similarity with his other fellow forward, Simon Murray, having also worked as a plumber before going into pro football.
“When I look back at it, I was plumbing in a house and then a year down the line I’m playing football every day, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.
Hay also worked in McDonald’s while in non-league.
His “pin-point accuracy headers” helped Hay win Supporters’ Player of the Year at Hitchin Town before he got his big break at Brentford.
On his move to Cheltenham, Brentford B boss Neil MacFarlane said: “He is a fantastic pressing forward, a real threat in and around the box, and is in great goalscoring form.
“I’m delighted for Ash as he is a terrific character with an outstanding work ethic.”
On the move to Dundee, Brentford’s B team assistant head coach Sam Saunders said: “We’re really pleased for him. This feels like the perfect next step for him.
“Knowing the type of player and person Ash is, I am confident he will continue to learn and grow as a player.
“We wish him all the best – he’s worked hard for this opportunity and deserves every success.”
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