Gaffer pleased to sign Newcastle starlet
Micky Mellon is delighted to have signed 20 year old striker Ivan Toney on a loan deal until January.Toney arrives from Newcastle United, who he joined last summer after coming through the ranks at boyhood club Northampton Town.
Toney was Northampton’s youngest ever player when he made his debut as a substitute in an FA Cup replay against Bradford City in November 2012 at the age of 16.
He spent last season on loan at Barnsley, making 15 League One appearances, and Micky is excited by what he will bring to the group.
“He’s a player that we’ve known for a long time, since his Northampton days, and he got a big move as a young player to Newcastle, so they think very highly of him,” said Micky.
“He’s been out on loan last year to the play off winners Barnsley and featured very heavily for them in that campaign, winning the EFL Trophy.
“He’s got some very good experience and a lot of qualities that we want to bring to the group that we don’t already have, so he’ll make us a better group.
“He’s a centre forward, he’s 6 foot 1, pacey. He’s a very good player, a very good all-round striker, who has been brought here, because the qualities he has will enhance what we already have.
“He’s come here with a lot of desire to want to do really well and get back into the Newcastle first team. So, we’re delighted to be getting that quality of player, allowed to come to us from these big clubs, because we’re building a reputation now, that when we do go in for these guys we work very hard for them, to try and improve them again.”
Ivan's signed on a six month loan deal and Micky believes he has all the right attributes to make a real impact.
“We’re pleased to get Ivan in the building, I’m sure he will be a fans favourite without a doubt,” Micky said.
“We will get plenty of time to work with him and he can just settle down and know where he’s going to be for the foreseeable future.
“We’ve brought him for the qualities that he has, because we wanted something different to what we already have.
“He’s a lad with a lot of talent. He’s got great technical ability, he’s a good dribbler, he’s got tricks and turns, and he knows his way to goal.
“He’s got a turn of pace, so he’s got all the attributes that a player that Newcastle bought from a lower league team would have.
“There was a lot of interest in him. I think the Shrewsbury fans with good memories will remember him playing against us for Northampton. So, we’re pleased to get him in, we worked hard to get him here,” Mellon added.