[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have agreed new contracts with midfielders Josh Vela and Elliott Bennett, whose deals were due to expire this summer.

The club, who finished the season 18th in League One, have not disclosed the length of the deals for either Vela, 28, or Bennett, 33.

The Shrews have offered a new deal to 19-year-old goalkeeper Jaden Bevan.

They have also exercised an option to extend the contract of keeper Harry Burgoyne, 25, by 12 months.

Striker Shaun Walley, defenders Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Arron Pierre, midfielders David Davis and Josh Daniels and goalkeeper Cameron Gregory have been released.

Speaking about the new deals for Vela and Bennett, boss Steve Cotterill told the club website: "I'm delighted that we've agreed a new deal with Josh.

"He's a great lad who was obviously in the team when I first arrived at the club and no matter whether I've been here or when I was away, he's always given maximum effort.

"Elliott is a fantastic character not just in and around the dressing room, he is also an excellent professional when he crosses the white line as well. He gives everything and has shown incredible fitness levels for his age and thoroughly deserves another year."

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed midfielder Jordan Shipley from Coventry City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Shipley, 24, had spent his entire career with the Sky Blues. having joined aged seven and progressed through the academy.

He made 163 appearances since his debut in 2017 and scored 29 goals.

Shipley was part of the team that was twice promoted, first from League Two in 2018 and again in 2020 to the Championship.

"I'm really pleased to have got Jordan in so early on," said Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill.

"He's a good player and it's a great time to sign him, he scores goals and he's a good young man with a nice family so I think he'll fit in well."


Shipley featured 11 times for Coventry this season in the Championship.

"As an academy graduate, he is a great role model for young players at the club for what they can achieve," said Coventry manager Mark Robins.

"He wants and needs to play regular football, and that is something he hopes to get at Shrewsbury."

[themaclad]

Elliott Bennett has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at Shrewsbury Town until the summer of 2023.

Former Blackburn and Norwich winger Bennett, 33, made 48 appearances for the Shrews last term scoring twice.

"I've still got lots to give on the pitch and I think I can help the younger players too. I'll be a voice to help them grow," Bennett said.

However, fellow midfielder Josh Vela appears set to leave the club on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old, who has spent two-and-a-half years at Shrewsbury, has been linked with a move to fellow League One club Fleetwood.

Manager Steve Cotterill believed that he had reached an agreement on a new two-year contract with the former Bolton Wanderers player in May.

[themaclad]

Good luck to Bayliss don't think the manager who we had at the time gave him a chance, hope he goes well

Shrewsbury Town have signed Preston midfielder Tom Bayliss on a two-year deal and Coventry full-back Julien Dacosta on a season-long loan.

Bayliss, 23, spent last season on loan with Wigan Athletic, making 16 appearances as they won promotion.

He moves to Montgomery Waters Meadow after Championship club Preston agreed to cancel his contract with them.

Dacosta, 26, played five games for Coventry in 2021-22 before going on loan to Portuguese club Portimonense.

Julien Dacosta
Frenchman Dacosta joined Coventry from Niort in the summer of 2020
They are Shrewsbury's second and third signings since finishing 18th last season, following Jordan Shipley's arrival from Coventry City.

"I know Shipperz from our time at Coventry - we came through the system together - so I know his game quite well and he knows me pretty well too," Bayliss told the Shrewsbury website.

"We've got a good group here so hopefully we can keep adding to that and have a successful season."

Shrewsbury will begin the new League One season with a trip to Morecambe on 30 July.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have signed former Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Chey Dunkley on a two-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months.

The 30-year-old made 24 appearances for the Owls last season, including a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury at Hillsborough.

Dunkley's arrival comes a day after Town completed the signings of Tom Bayliss and Julien Dacosta.

He made his English Football League debut for Oxford and also played for Wigan before joining Wednesday in 2020.

"I had a few options, but it just felt like this was the right one for me," he told the Shrewsbury website.

"I know a few people who have been at this club, including some who are considered club legends like Dave Edwards, and I've got close friends like Connor Goldson, who has been here.

"That calibre of player has only had good things to say about Shrewsbury. It's a family club and they're pushing in the right direction, and want to push the club to get promoted, so it's all been positive from what I've heard."

[themaclad]

Aiden O'Brien has joined Shrewsbury Town on a two-year contract.

The Republic of Ireland international forward, 28, was offered a new contract by Portsmouth, who signed him from Sunderland on a short-term deal during the January transfer window.

O'Brien scored five goals in 17 appearances during his time at Pompey.

He began his career at Millwall and had loan spells at Hayes & Yeading, Aldershot, Torquay and Crawley before joining Sunderland in 2020.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have made their sixth summer signing by bringing in defender Taylor Moore on a season-long loan from Championship side Bristol City.

The 25-year-old London-born defender, who began his career in France with Lens, can play anywhere across the back three and as a defensive midfielder.

He has been at Ashton Gate since signing in August 2016.

Moore has also had loan spells at Bury, Cheltenham Town, Southend United, Blackpool and Hearts.

He was scheduled to fly to Spain on Monday to join Steve Cotterill's squad as they prepare for the season opener at Morecambe on 30 July.

[themaclad]

Shrewsbury Town have made three deadline-day loan signings - forwards Rob Street and Christian Saydee and midfielder Carl Winchester.

Winchester, 29, was the last of the trio to sign on a season-long loan from promoted Championship side Sunderland, who have a right to recall in January.

He joins Crystal Palace striker Street, 20, and Bournemouth's Saydee, also 20.

All three could feature for Salop, who have one win from six games this season, at Forest Green on Saturday.

Street spent the second half of last season on loan at League Two side Newport County, for whom he scored twice in 18 appearances, while Saydee was on loan with League One side Burton for the second half of last season, but did not find the target.

Steve Cotterill's side are 20th in League One.