Words: Staff Writers

Brisbane Roar Youth attacker Shannon Brady is officially a Hyundai A-League player after being signed to a four-year senior deal by the club.

Brady, 18, has already made three first-team appearances in the top flight domestic competition this season.

Due to wear number 29 in the senior squad, Brady has played PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues football from its inception, representing Queensland Academy of Sport in 2013 and then Young Roar in 2014 and in the early part of 2015.

He has scored four goals in his 32 PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues appearances.

Brady was also a stand-out for Young Roar in the recently completed Foxtel National Youth League campaign that saw the team finish as runners-up.

Brady said his goal now was to get as many minutes of first-team football as possible over the remainder of this season and the next.

"It's is a dream come true to be a professional footballer," Brady said.

"I've worked hard all my life towards that goal and to sign with my hometown club is even more special."

Brisbane Roar Director of Football Ken Stead said Brady was the tenth player to come through the Roar's youth development program and play regularly in the first team.

"While this four-year commitment provides stability for Shannon, it also send a loud and clear message about how Brisbane Roar values the players coming through our youth development system," Stead explained.

"We are a great club for young players who are not only from Queensland but also those interstate who might want to be part of our proven program."

Stead said signing other talented young players would be important for the Roar moving forward.

"This current crop of young players are the new long-term Roar stars," Stead said.

"They are players we believe have the ability and approach to the game to be at the club for many years to come in the same way Matt McKay, Shane Stefanutto, Thomas Broich and others have given so many years service to the Roar."

Brady, who played his junior football with Gold Coast Knights, has commuted regularly from his on the Gold Coast to train in Brisbane with the Roar senior squad, often hitting the road by 5am to beat the M1 traffic.

He is also studying clinical physiology at Queensland University of Technology and has juggled lecturers and exams with his training and playing commitments.

"It's been a lot of hard work but the club has helped me with my study, lectures and time management. Now I hope I can be a big part of the Roar's success in coming years," he said.