Why Josh Brownhill snubbed Ipswich Town and Leicester City to move to Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

Josh Brownhill has made the switch to Saudi Arabia after links to the Championship last summer

Josh Brownhill has explained why he made the switch to Al Shabab this summer amid links to Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

The midfielder was linked with the two recently-relegated sides following his exit as a free agent from Burnley at the end of the previous campaign.

However, he has instead made the move to Saudi Arabia, with Sky Sports reporting earlier this month that the 29-year-old will be earning more than £100,000 per week with his new club.

Brownhill also reportedly turned down interest from Premier League side Wolves in order to make this move to the Middle East.

Josh Brownhill opens up on Saudi switch

Brownill has expressed his honour at making the move to Saudi Arabia following reports of his huge new contract.

He claimed a discussion with the Prince, as well as manager Imanol Alguacil, helped convince him to make the switch, and he’s now excited to get started with his new team.

"I feel really honoured to join Al Shabab,” said Brownhill, via Burnley Express.

"I’m really happy I’m here and I’m just delighted to get it over the line and to be here.

"After speaking to the Prince and having a really good conversation with the coach, it really attracted me to join.

“We had some really good conversations and the passion and the knowledge the Prince speaks, it was something I was really excited for.

"The way the manager plays, formation, system and the vision they see, that’s what really attracted me.

"The atmosphere has been amazing since I’ve been here.

“From all the members of staff, the kit man, everybody, the fans as well, it’s been really great.

“I just can’t wait to get started and show people what I can do.

"The message I want to give to Al Shabab fans is that I’m really happy to be here, I’m delighted and I can’t wait for a really successful season and show the fans how I perform and how I play.

"Hopefully I will score a lot of goals and we will be aiming to win a lot of trophies this season.”

Josh Brownhill’s impressive Championship form

Brownhill was a pivotal part of Burnley’s promotion success in the Championship last season, contributing 18 goals and six assists for Scott Parker’s side as they earned a top two finish.

Ipswich and Leicester would’ve been hoping for a similar impact in their team had they been able to convince him to join.

But, given the expected salary of more than £100,000 per week, it’s hard to imagine they were ever going to convince the midfielder to remain in England.

The Tractor Boys have made an underwhelming start to the campaign and sit 20th in the table after four games, while Martí Cifuentes’ side are fourth.

It’s obvious why Josh Brownhill has made Saudi Arabia switch

Ipswich and Leicester both would’ve been attractive options for Brownhill, as well as Wolves, but none of those clubs were likely to come close to offering £100,000 per week wages.

At 29, the midfielder has prioritised maximising his value as this is likely his last chance at earning a big pay day in his playing career.

He enjoyed a strong year last year, particularly in front of goal where he scored 18 times from a non-penalty xG of just 7.5 (per stats from Fbref), which will always grab some attention.