[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town winger Elliott Bennett is to have an operation on an ankle problem.

The 33-year-old, who agreed a new one-year contract last month, has missed their last two pre-season games.

"Elliott's had this nagging ankle since the back end of last season," Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"He's seen a couple of specialists, he's had it injected twice and we don't feel as though he's kicked on enough."

Cotterill said Bennett's operation had to be delayed because the surgeon had Covid but added the club are hoping it will not result in a lengthy lay-off.

"It's disappointing really that we've got to this stage, but the last thing now is going to be a wash out (of the ankle) and hopefully that works.

"Maybe there's little fragments of bone that keep pinching him, something like that," he added.

"If it's just a wash out, it might only be two weeks which means he'd still be ready for the season."

[themaclad]

Brian Caldwell has left his role as Shrewsbury Town chief executive with immediate effect.

Caldwell had been with the League One club since arriving from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren in 2016.

Ex-policeman Peter Brophy becomes Town's chief operating officer as part of a newly created "football board" at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

"The club has lost a good guy. I will miss him without a shadow of a doubt," said Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill.

"Sadness is my reaction," Cotterill told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"When I came here two and a half years ago, the chairman said he wanted me and Brian to work closely together - and we did just that. He was very supportive, especially when I had Covid."

The club thanked Caldwell for "all his hard work during his seven years" and said more appointments to the new football board will be made in due course.

A statement added that Brophy's role will be to "review all areas of the non-football side of the business and implement strategies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency within the club".

A former detective chief inspector with both West Midlands and West Mercia police, Brophy has been working at Shrewsbury since the start of the year.

Shrewsbury made the announcement less than three hours before the club's final home match of the season, Tuesday's 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers, Town's first win in nine games.

"The last six weeks have been incredibly difficult," added Cotterill. "You've got to have a bigger budget.

"We've taken four points off Bristol Rovers this season - and their budget won't be far off twice ours.

"The board at Bristol Rovers have done very well in putting that squad together."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed Sunderland midfielder Carl Winchester on a two-year contract.

He was released by the Black Cats after playing 43 games for Shrewsbury during a loan spell last season.

The 30-year-old is The Shrews' first signing of the summer - and first since Matt Taylor was confirmed as their new head coach on Monday.

"Technically, he is someone who always affects the game in a positive way," Taylor told the club website.

"And in my opinion, we can get Carl making a bigger impact in the final third."

He added: "Shrewsbury were fortunate to get him on loan last season and he was a player that stood out for me because of his energy, his physicality and his ability.

"He is a front-footed midfield player who I believe Shrewsbury fans haven't seen the best of yet so I'm really excited to work with him."

Winchester began his career at Oldham Athletic and also had spells at Cheltenham and Forest Green Rovers before joining Sunderland in January 2021.

Shrewsbury will start the new League One campaign with a home game against Cheltenham on 5 August after finishing 12th under Steve Cotterill last term.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have continued their summer recruitment by signing Carlisle United defender Morgan Feeney on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old had been offered a new deal by the Cumbrians after skippering them in last season's promotion run.

Feeney has chosen instead to become Shrewsbury's second signing following the arrival of Carl Winchester.

Boss Matt Taylor said: "He is a player our fans will really take to because of his effort, desire and application."

He continued: "Technically he is very gifted and we feel, as a football club, we can add value to his game whilst understanding he already has a very good amount of Football League experience - with Morgan captain of a team that was promoted from League Two last season."

Feeney came through Everton's youth system before joining Sunderland, where he made his sole appearance in the EFL Trophy.

He moved on to Carlisle in January 2021 and made 35 appearances last season, scoring three goals.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have named Marcus Bignot as assistant head coach, replacing Aaron Wilbraham.

Bignot's appointment comes a year after he was sacked by Birmingham City Women after he was found guilty of using homophobic language during a game.

The 41-year-old spent last season as first-team coach at Cheltenham Town.

"Shrewsbury Town is a club that values equality - and that will never change. We are also a club that believes in second chances," said a statement.

"The club is aware that in 2020 Marcus was charged on the balance of probabilities of using homophobic terms following a touchline row while he was assistant manager at Birmingham City Women.

"Though this is a charge that he has vehemently denied, Marcus received a touchline ban and attended a mandatory education programme, which he completed.

"Prior to Marcus' arrival, the club felt it was important to take time to speak to both Proud Salopians and members of the Shrewsbury Town Women's team to inform them of Marcus' appointment, and did so last week. We are pleased to confirm very positive discussions were held."

Former QPR striker Bignot will work alongside new head coach Matt Taylor, who said: "I think when you look at Marcus' coaching journey, his experiences, his knowledge and understanding of the level is exceptional.

"I like his manner, I like his demeanor. First and foremost he's a really good person. I'd met him a couple of times before and everybody I spoke to with regards to Marcus spoke of him very highly and I think we're very lucky to have him."

Bignot added: "Being able to work with an exciting young head coach and coming into a club with some very good senior players, there were a lot of positives really.

"It won't take long for us to be all singing off the same hymn sheet, that's been very evident from the first day back."

Wilbraham, 43, has left Shrewsbury by mutual consent, having been given his first coaching role by former boss Steve Cotterill in December 2020.

Cotterill left the club last month after two-and-a-half years in charge and was subsequently replaced by Taylor.

Former Stockport, MK Dons and Bristol City striker Wilbraham took charge of the first team for a short spell in 2021 while Cotterill was recovering from Covid.

A Shrewsbury statement said that was "something the club will always be incredibly grateful to him for".

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have re-signed winger Elliott Bennett on a one-year deal.

He was released by previous boss Steve Cotterill at the end of the 2022-23 season, but new head coach Matt Taylor has now reversed that decision.

"I'm buzzing," said Bennett, 34. "I'm really, really, happy to be back."

Taylor added: "Elliott is an exceptional professional who has a strong affinity with the club and the fans, but there is far more to him coming back to the club than that.

"Elliott brings immense quality, he brings leadership and above all else he is a very good person."

Bennett, who originally arrived at Shrewsbury in 2021, becomes Taylor's third acquisition following Sunderland midfielder Carl Winchester and Carlisle United defender Morgan Feeney.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed wing-back Elliot Thorpe on a season-long loan from Premier League side Luton Town.

Thorpe, 22, spent some of his early career in the academy at Tottenham Hotspur - where he worked with current Town boss Matt Taylor.

He moved to the Hatters in 2021 before spending the first part of last term on loan at Burton Albion.

Thorpe has also played for Wales twice at under-21 level in recent European Championship qualifiers.

He is the fifth new signing made by Taylor for the forthcoming season.

Teenage centre-back Michael Parker, Sunderland midfielder Carl Winchester, Carlisle United defender Morgan Feeney have all joined Shrewsbury this summer, while winger Elliott Bennett has rejoined the club after being released by former boss Steve Cotterill at the end of last season.

"Elliot can play in a number of different positions and will give us real balance on the right-hand side of the pitch," head coach Taylor said.

"He is now at a stage in his career where he has to push on having had a loan last season.

"I think he is the correct type of person and I'm excited for the fans to see his ability and his desire to ensure this season is the best of his career."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed wing-back Tunmise Sobowale from League of Ireland club Waterford for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old Irishman has signed a one-year deal, with the League One club having an option to extend it.

He becomes the sixth pre-season signing made by new Town boss Matt Taylor.

He follows teenage centre-back Michael Parker, Sunderland midfielder Carl Winchester, Carlisle defender Morgan Feeney, Luton Town wing-back Elliot Thorpe and winger Elliott Bennett.

The adaptable Sobowale also played at centre back and in central midfield for Waterford, having spent time on loan to Spanish side Hercules and Irish sides Athlone Town and Finn Harps.

"I'm over the moon," he said. "I was looking at the club when my agent brought it to me.

"I saw a real family vibe and saw they were playing some good football and I thought to myself 'I can get in here, get some games and do well for myself and for the club, that'd be good.'"

Head coach Taylor added: "Tunmise is a player we have been monitoring since I arrived at the club.

"He has very good athletic capabilities and is determined to prove himself in League One. This is a fantastic opportunity for him. He fits the recruitment profile for the position of a wing-back."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed former Barnsley defender Jason Sraha on a one-year deal.

The 20-year-old Arsenal academy graduate made two appearances for the Tykes in 2021-22 but did not feature last season and was released in June.

"He is a talented defender who had terrible luck with injuries last season." Salop boss Matt Taylor told the club website.

"Jason is a young man with a point to prove and I believe he'll fit in well."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed midfielder Nohan Kenneh on a season-long loan from Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.

The 20-year-old began his career at Leeds United before moving to Hibs at the end of the 2021-22 season.

He made 38 appearances last term, scoring once, 19 of them during a loan spell at Ross County.

"There were lots of other clubs interested in him which means he is fully invested with us this season," said Town head coach Matt Taylor.

"He is a very athletic, physical player with excellent technical ability who is fully aware of his role within the team and the squad."

Kenneh played for England at age-group level but opted to represent Liberia at senior international level and made his debut against South Africa in March.

Shrewsbury start the new League One season with a home game against Cheltenham on 5 August.