Gaffer discusses the signing of Josh Laurent on a two-year deal
Shrewsbury Town Manager John Askey is delighted to have got one of his main summer targets with the addition of Josh Laurent.
The 23-year-old midfielder joins for an undisclosed fee from Wigan Athletic and signs a two-year deal at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
He becomes the third central midfield signing in the last three days, following Charlie Colkett and Doug Loft, and Askey is pleased to finally have him on board.
“I’m really pleased”, admitted John.
“We kept saying that we’d have to be patient and obviously with Josh that has been the case. It’s been on and off, and finally now he’s signed.
“With the players that went in the summer it was important that we got somebody in with athleticism and that’s what Josh brings to us, but he can play as well.
“He will give us that energy in midfield that we need and hopefully he’s somebody that will push on and help Shrewsbury to be where they want to be.”
Laurent is the third midfield signing in the last few days and brings the total up to five senior central midfielders, which Askey believes allows him options in that area.
“With Jon (Nolan) we’ve got somebody that’s athletic and can play, but Josh gives us that box to box”, said John.
“We’re still looking to try and bring another one in as well, so hopefully with Josh, Jon, Bryn, Lofty and Charlie coming in, it gives me options and it’s nice to be in that position.
“He has got a physical presence, he can get up and down the middle of the park, but he’s good on the ball as well and he’s at an age where he’s still looking to improve, and hopefully he’s going to go onto bigger and better things.”
Laurent spent much of last season with Bury and John believes that experience will have stood him in good stead.
“Wigan played quite a lot of money for him from Hartlepool where he did well and he’s had a season-long loan at Bury, so he knows the league well”, Askey said.
“I think it will do him good to come in and hopefully he’s be playing week in, week out, which will help him and he will feel like he’s playing for the club that he signed for.”