Exciting left-back on board as Micky Mellon continues to rebuild his squad
Shrewsbury Town have signed highly-rated left back Mickey Demetriou on a two year deal.
A product of the Glenn Hoddle Academy, Mickey has spent the last three seasons with Kidderminster Harriers where he has developed a good reputation.
Mickey, who has spent the last couple of weeks away with the England 'C' team, is now delighted to have realised his dream of joining a Football League club.
He said it was not a hard decision to accept the chance to join new-look Shrewsbury Town after holding talks with Micky Mellon and Mike Jackson.
Mickey said: "I’m very happy to be here and to have the opportunity to come a club like Shrewsbury is a big thing for me.
“I’ve not had the chance to play in the Football League yet and that is the one thing I’ve wanted to do during my career.
“I spoke to the gaffer and the assistant manager and they want me to come here and to try and improve the squad.
“I think I can help to do that and I’m now looking forward to the challenge ahead for us.”
Mickey has spent the last three seasons with a Kidderminster side who were chasing promotion from the Conference Premier.
He enjoyed his time at Aggborough but the opportunity to play in the Football League was too good to turn down.
"Kidderminster Harriers gave me the opportunity to play in the Conference which I took and I haven’t looked back since," he said.
“In the three years I’ve been there we’ve finished sixth, second and seventh last year, but we had an off season last year and the players had to be strong to achieve with everything that was going on off the pitch.
“It was a very hard decision to leave and I had a number of sleepless nights thinking about it but for the progression of my career I needed to move into the Football League.”
Since the end of last season Mickey has been linked in the Press with moves to a number of League 1 and League 2 clubs.
He said: "There were other options but when I spoke to Micky and Mike they really sold it to me.
“I spoke to a fair few other people and experienced players about Shrewsbury and they’ve all said it is a great club and a great opportunity for me, and if the opportunity came for them they would also come here.
“After talking to them it was an easy decision which I’m glad I’ve made and now it’s all done I can concentrate on getting ready for pre-season and starting afresh.
“When I spoke to Micky he said he wants to build a new squad and that was passed through Mike when I spoke to him as well yesterday.
“They want me to be part of that and that is nice to hear. I’m looking forward to the challenge of pushing for promotion and getting the club back to where it belongs.”
Over the last three seasons with Kidderminster, Mickey has played at both left back and also been used in a central defensive role.
But most of his appearances have come at left back and it's a position he would like to play for Shrewsbury.
"I enjoy both positions but I’ve been left back at Kiddy for the last three years and have enjoyed it in there and think I did well," he added.
“I played centre half several times as well and enjoyed it but wherever the manager wants me to play I’ll play there for the team.
“I like to get forward when the opportunity arises but the main thing is the defensive responsibilities.
“Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do that week in, week out for the team and help us to win as many games as possible.”