Stephen Hindmarch was today confirmed as Paul Simpson's first signing of the close season. The young forward finished his scholarship at Carlisle but wasn't offered a professional contract and has now joined Town on a 12 month deal.

Stephen spoke to the press this afternoon after he'd completed his medical and paperwork to become a Town player: "I'm an 18 year old from just outside of Carlisle; I've just finished my YTS with Carlisle and have now come down to Shrewsbury.

"Hopefully I can now take my chance here and help to bring something to the club."

Paul Simpson had become aware of Stephen when he was managing Carlisle and the youngster was progressing through the youth ranks at the club. Stephen jumped at the chance to join the club in what is an exciting move for him: "The gaffer was at Carlisle when I was coming through the centre of excellence and then up through the youth team.

"He's shown a lot of faith in me and now it's up to me to repay that faith now.

"Any move is going to be exciting and as this is the first pro contract I've signed it's a very exciting time.

"Shrewsbury is a club on the up and hopefully I can bring all that I have to offer and help the club achieve success."

The Carlisle born youngster was then asked to describe what sort of player he is and his favoured position: "I've been playing in centre midfield but it's up to the gaffer as to where he would like to play me.

"I can play anywhere in midfield or up front; I like to think I'm a creative type of player and have a bit of pace.

"All I want is the chance to play and if I get that I'll give my all for the team."

Paul Simpson had been tracking Stephen's progress for a while but it was an interest that he was unaware of: "I wasn't aware that he'd been keeping tags on me, I was just concentrating on my football at Carlisle.

"It is always nice to know that there are people who have faith in your abilities and hopefully I can repay that faith.

"I think if have a decent chance at Shrewsbury but I know it's down to me to work hard and try and impress everyone here."

The move to Town gives Stephen his first professional contact and his chance in the game. The aim is to push for a first team slot and Stephen is ready should that chance come: "I'd like to think I'm ready if that chance came but as I've mentioned before it's down to me to work hard and get my head down.

"If I do that then hopefully the gaffer and coaches here will see something they like and allow me to push on as far as I can.

"The gaffer invited me down to take a look and when I got here I just thought 'yes this is brilliant'. I was very impressed by what I saw and made my mind up straight away.

"I had finished my YTS at Carlisle and they then said they weren't going to offer me a professional contract, that's fair enough and something that I'm not going to dwell on but push on at Shrewsbury Town."