ShrewsWeb revealed the news this afternoon that Lewis Neal had passed his medical and put pen to paper on a new two year deal with the club.
Lewis was kitted out during lunchtime and ShrewsWeb grabbed a word with him before he went off for his first training session at Sundorne: "It's good to have finally got the deal sorted and to have signed for a big club like Shrewsbury which is a club on the up.
"After last season's efforts and just missing out on getting promotion the aim this season has to be to go that one step further."
Simmo and Lewis worked together during the gaffer's time in charge at Preston North End.He's been at some decent clubs during his career but sees the potential at Town for the club to push on: "I worked under the gaffer at Preston for around 18 months so know him quite well.
"Hopefully he knows what I'm about and I'm looking forward to getting down to the real business.
"I'm lucky to have spent time at such good clubs as Stoke City and at Preston, I finished last season at Carlisle and that is another good club.
"Coming to Shrewsbury maybe seen as a little bit of step down by some but I don't see that, Shrewsbury is a club that could easily be in League 1 at least.
"That's one the reasons that I've come here to come and help us to get out of this division."
Simmo described Lewis as a left-sided player who he sees as being the left winger at Town.Lewis is happy with the position and it is his preferred position in the side: "Left wing is my position and I'm really looking forward to getting the chance to try and cement my place in the side."
Last season saw Lewis spend a time at Notts County on loan playing a more central role.It means he has experience of this league and of what to expect: "I know this is a tough league and there are some very tough places that you have to go too to play.
"I know that it's not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination and that we will all need to work really hard to achieve something.
"With the additions that the gaffer has made to the squad then hopefully can give us that little extras push."
With Lewis signing at lunchtime this meant that he was lucky enough to miss this morning's dreaded bleep test.He is looking forward though to getting to work on the training pitch and to get ready for the season opener against Burton: "I missed the running this morning as I didn't sign until lunchtime but I'm sure I'll make up for it this afternoon.
"Pre-season is about putting in that hard work to get you ready for the season ahead and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the lads.
"You have the games to help the fitness but it's all about getting prepared for the first game of the season and getting the 3 points and a good start."
