Walsall Football Club have today revealed the signing of Shrewsbury Town striker Tom Bradshaw on a two-year contract, after the Welsh Under 21 international rejected a new deal at Greenhous Meadow...The 21-year-old forward, who began his career as an apprentice with Welsh Premier League side Aberystwyth Town, joined Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 2009 and made his debut in a League Two match against Crewe Alexandra in April 2010, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win. At the end of the 2009/10 season he signed a two-year professional contract.
Despite scoring six goals in the 2010–11 season he found first team opportunities more limited in 2011/12, making only 8 appearances and scoring once.
He was handed the number nine shirt for the Shrews' 2012/13 campaign and made 22 appearances that season, mostly as a substitute, but failed to score. Bradshaw signed a contract extension of an undisclosed length on 23 May 2013. and scored his first senior goal for nearly two years in a 2-0 home win over Swindon Town.
Despite being offered an improved contract at the Greenhous Meadow he turned this down to put pen to paper on a deal with the Saddlers.
Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to saddlers.co.uk about today's signing, he said: “We are delighted that we have finally been able to secure Tom’s services. We know all about him and the qualities that he will bring to us.
“He’s a player that has always caught my eye whenever he has played against us at various levels or I have watched him.
“He’s a determined and talented lad who links up the play well and can score goals. Despite his age, he has almost 100 appearances for Shrewsbury under his belt and was playing in the top-flight of the Welsh game at just 16 years of age, so he has plenty of game knowledge in his locker already.
“I believe that we can further develop him here and really bring the best out of him; he’s a good age and I am delighted that we have been able to agree this deal with Shrewsbury.”
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