[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed former West Bromwich Albion forward Rayhaan Tulloch on a deal to the end of the season.

The 23-year-old made seven appearances for Albion, all as a substitute, before being released by the club in February.

Most recently, he played 10 games during a loan spell with League Two club Bradford City.

"Rayhaan has been training with us for the past couple of weeks and has shown a good attitude and a good work ethic," said Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst.

"Looking at the squad, if we were to get injuries at the top end of the pitch then it would leave us a little bit light, so I think this works for all parties."

The deal was completed in time for Tulloch to be included in the squad for Saturday's game at Port Vale.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have released eight players following a disappointing season in League One.

In their ninth straight campaign at third-tier level, Town finished 19th, just four points clear of the drop, but they were the lowest scorers in the division with 35 goals in 46 games.

Striker Ryan Bowman is one of the players that has been let go, along with five midfielders - Tunmise Sobowale, Tom Bayliss, Rayhaan Tulloch, Aiden O'Brien and Elliott Bennett, who was initially released last summer before being offered new terms two months later.

Local-born goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne has also left, along with former Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan, while loan players Joe Anderson, Jack Hinchy and Nohan Kenneh have returned to their parent clubs.

Which players are staying?
Shrewsbury have offered new deals to keeper Marko Marosi, defenders Mal Benning, Aaron Pierre and Chey Dunkley, plus striker Dan Udoh, while mid-season signing Jack Price may stay too.

Former Wolves midfielder Price has been "offered the chance to train with the squad during pre-season to work on his fitness with the aim of earning a new deal".

It leaves Town currently with just nine players under contract; Morgan Feeney, Jason Sraha, George Nurse, Carl Winchester, Taylor Perry, Jordan Shipley, Roland Idowu, Tom Bloxham and Max Mata.

Shrewsbury began the season with Matt Taylor as head coach but he was sacked in January.

Former Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst returned to the club he left following Town's play-off final in 2018, but he managed just four wins from his 18 games back in charge.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town defender Mal Benning has signed a new two-year deal following an individually encouraging first season with the League One club.

“I had a bit of a slow start," said the 30-year-old left-back. "But I grew into it the more the season went on.

“I feel at home now, which is massive for me. I’ve just had a little one so it fits in with my family life, it’s not far from home."

The ex-Walsall, York City, Mansfield Town and Port Vale man is the first of the five out-of-contract players offered new deals to commit to the club.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town striker Max Mata has joined A-League side Auckland on a season-long loan.

The 23-year-old New Zealand international has returned to his home-town club after struggling to make an impact in his first season at Oteley Road.

Mata was one of then boss Matt Taylor's first signings last August when he arrived on a three-year deal after scoring 11 goals in 23 games for League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers.

But he scored just once in 26 appearances, the majority of them off the bench, in Town's 2-1 League One win over Port Vale in November.

Shrewsbury were the lowest scorers in the EFL last season - netting 35 goals in 46 games. But Mata still ended the season back on loan at Sligo, scoring four times.

Mata, who has won nine full caps for New Zealand, began his career in his native country but also played in Switzerland, Estonia and the USA before first moving to the Republic of Ireland to join Sligo in 2022.

He was one of only nine players left at the club on contract following the retained list issued by director of football Mickey Moore and head coach Paul Hurst in April.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have made their first two summer transfer moves by bringing in Cheltenham Town striker George Lloyd and re-signing former defender Toto Nsiala - both on two-year deals.

Lloyd is reunited with both Town's director of football Micky Moore, who spent time with Cheltenham in the same role before joining Shrewsbury last summer, and head coach Paul Hurst.

The 24-year-old played under Hurst at Grimsby, one of three loan moves he had while at Whaddon Road, having also enjoyed spells at Hereford and Port Vale.

Lloyd will be hoping to improve Town's record as the EFL's lowest scorers in 2023-24. But he only scored twice throughout the whole campaign - both in the 2-0 Boxing Day home win over Shrewsbury.

"George is a player who had a lot of interest in him so we’re really pleased he chose us," said Hurst.

"The fact he knows how we work and had a successful loan spell with us at Grimsby I’m sure helped him make that decision."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have made their third summer signing by bringing in Harrison Biggins from Doncaster Rovers.

The 28-year-old midfielder - son of former Wigan Athletic, Stoke City, Barnsley, Manchester City, Norwich City and Burnley striker Wayne Biggins - has penned a two-year contract.

The deal will activate when his current Doncaster contract ends on 30 June.

Biggins' signing follows last week's arrival of Cheltenham Town striker George Lloyd and the return of former Town defender Toto Nsiala after his exit from Burton Albion.

Aside from the eight players released at the end of the season by Shrewsbury, the club had offered deals to five new players.

And goalkeeper Marko Marosi has now officially told the club, external he will leave when his contract comes to an end on 30 June.

Captain Chey Dunkley signed for Chesterfield last week, while Mal Benning has agreed to stay, which leaves the club now waiting on decisions from fellow defender Aaron Pierre and striker Daniel Udoh - but New Zealand-born striker Max Mata has been allowed to return down under on loan to Auckland.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town defender Aaron Pierre has signed a new 12-month contract with the League One club.

After returning to Shrewsbury for a second time last October on a short-term deal, the 31-year-old Grenada international made 20 appearances before his season was ended prematurely by a groin injury.

But he is now concentrating on being fit enough for pre-season training.

“The injury is going really well. I’m back doing conditioning work now. And I was going to go on international duty with Grenada," Pierre said., external

"But that would have meant trying to fast-track things and I just felt that didn’t make sense. I want that full season and, most importantly, with a full pre-season behind me.

“I haven’t had a full pre-season for a couple of years now and that is so important – it gives you that base to take into the league.

"This club is my second home. Even my mum is happy I am here. She feels like I’m looked after, she always says it’s a great club. I spoke to the chairman and he gave me a big hug. He’s a great guy.”

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury have signed goalkeeper Toby Savin on a two-year deal from League Two Accrington Stanley.

Savin is only 23 but has already made more than 100 professional appearances.

He triggered a contract extension with Stanley at the end of last season but has now chosen to join League One Shrewsbury.

"Toby attracted interest from clubs higher up the leagues," head coach Paul Hurst told the club website, external.

“He is a player with plenty of potential and has all the attributes to be a really good goalkeeper.

“Our job is to make sure he fulfils that and becomes the best version of himself.”

Savin made his Accrington debut in 2017 and became a regular before being loaned to Stevenage for a month in February 2023.

He is Shrewsbury's fourth summer signing after midfielder Harrison Biggins was brought in.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have made their fifth summer signing by bringing in Aston Villa youngster Tommi O'Reilly on loan.

The 20-year-old midfielder is to move to Shropshire on a season-long deal.

He follows the arrival of fellow midfielder Harrison Biggins, goalkeeper Toby Savin, striker George Lloyd and defender Toto Nsiala.

Shrewsbury finished 19th in League One last season.

Former Town manager Paul Hurst returned to the club mid-season to succeed the sacked Matt Taylor, but he managed just four wins from his 18 games back in charge.

They start the new season on Saturday, 10 August with an away trip to Stevenage.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed Wales Under-21 defender Luca Hoole from Bristol Rovers on a two-year contract.

Hoole, 22, who plays primarily at right-back, becomes Town's sixth summer signing.

He was out of contract, having been offered a new deal by Rovers, but the two clubs have agreed a "compensation package".

"Luca is a good athlete who can play at right-back and centre-back," said Town head coach Paul Hurst. "He only recently turned 22 but he has really good experience in both League One and League Two, having already made more than 100 professional appearances.

"But he is also at an age where he can improve - he has a lot of potential. From my conversations with him, it is clear he has the character needed to fit in with the group. He is someone who wants to progress and who wants to improve."

Hoole follows the signings of goalkeeper Toby Savin, midfielder Harrison Biggins, strikers George Lloyd and Tommi O'Reilly - and the return of defender Toto Nsiala.