Shrewsbury Town have signed Alex Gilliead from Newcastle United on a free transfer as confirmed by the club website.
The 22-year-old winger has been at Newcastle since he was a teenager and had been doing his best to break into their first team. However, despite having successful loan spells with Luton Town, Carlisle United and Bradford City, he hadn’t done enough to show the coaches back at Newcastle that he could be a first teamer for them and they decided to let him go this summer.
This attracted plenty of interest with even Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City said to be interested in signing him. But in the end, Gilliead decided to head to Shrewsbury and has signed a two-year contract with the Shropshire side. He likely decided to head to Shrewsbury rather than Bristol City because he is more likely going to get first-team football with the Shrews.
Following the signing, Gilliead said: “I’m very pleased to be here,”
“I’m just ready to kick on now and get the season started. Obviously we have Pre-Season to do.
“It’s been a couple of weeks while it was getting sorted but I’m glad to be here.”
“It’s the first big move in my career,”
“It had to be the right one. I had a look at a few other offers that I had but I thought this was the most appealing one and the one that fitted me right.
“Coming off the back of a great season last year the Club is looking to do it again and I want to be a part of that.
“I want to show everyone what I can do and start my career with the best Club I think I can do it with.
“I spoke to the manager last week and he was quite similar with my views with what we wanted to do and how I want to play.
“I came down yesterday and I had a look at the facilities and I thought the facilities were top draw.”
