The highly-rated defender joins Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Manchester United
Shrewsbury Town are delighted to announce the signing of 20-year-old defender Ro-Shaun Williams on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Manchester United.
Centre-half Williams made his Under-21 debut aged just 16 - with his blistering pace helping him deal with older and stronger forwards.
A year earlier Williams broke Darren Campbell's 100-metre schoolboy record, which had stood for 25 years.
He also captained the Under-19s for United in the UEFA Youth League and was an excellent ambassador for the club during the trip to Belgrade in that competition.
The highly-rated young defender has also represented England at Under-19 and Under-18 level. His England Under-19 debut came in November 2016 having previously played for his country at Under-18 level and in the Under-17 World Cup in Chile.
Williams spoke to Shrewsweb in his first interview for the club and expressed how happy he was to have signed for Town.
“Yeah I’m delighted, I’m really happy I’m just looking to getting started playing here.
“There was good interest from the club, it’s got a good fanbase and I’m just looking forward to getting some league minutes in me.
“Everyone’s been really welcoming to me, everyone’s made me feel really welcome and I’m happy to be here.
“All my time has been spent at United so far, I’ve gone through the academies growing up but it’s been a time for me to get out and make a professional career for myself.
“I’ve had some good away times with England as well, I’ve been to the World Cup at U17s, qualified for the Euro’s for the U19s, so that’s been great for my development as a player.”
Williams has played with former Town player Dean Henderson whilst at United.
“Dean has been a good platform for myself, he’s been at the same club as me and has really kicked on from there. He’s done really well so it’s a good benchmark for myself.
Williams feels like this is a good time in his career to progress to the next level.
“I feel like I’ve completed youth football, I’ve come up from playing for your local team all the way through to the reserves at United. I think I’m ready to be playing men's football.
“I like to play on the ball and defend but pace is something I’ve got in the locker as well.
“I’m looking to just get into the team, help make sure we stay up and keep getting points. Next year I want to make sure I’m regularly in the starting 11 and show everyone what I’ve got really.”
Manager Sam Ricketts spoke to Shrewsweb about how pleased he was to have completed the deal.
"He's had a very good early career, captained England at junior age groups," said Sam. "He's a player who wants to play men's football. He wants to come and be part of something. He's young, he's an athlete.
"I'm really looking forward to having him at the club and he'll prove to be a good signing for Shrewsbury.
"We've fought off other clubs to get him, so we're delighted to have him. We're looking to add quality to the squad and he certainly fits that."