Young keeper Max O’Leary has completed a season long loan deal from Championship side Bristol City to join up with Town.
Max travelled up from Bristol and was at Sundorne this morning to watch, as Town took on Wolves U23’s in a bounce game.
He has now signed the loan deal that will see him stay with Shrewsbury and fight for his place in the Sky Bet League One side.
ShrewsWeb sat down with Max this afternoon once his medical and the paperwork were finished. We started by asking him what his first impressions was.
“It’s a lovely place, a great training ground and we had a look at the stadium earlier and that looks really nice”, said Max.
“Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming to me so far.”
Sam Ricketts has spoken about bringing a young, quality keeper in to bolster his squad and Max fits that bill.
“I’ve been at Bristol City a long time and had a few non league loans which were good experience”, said Max.
“I played a bit last year in the Championship which was good.
“I’ve had lots of different bits of experience so far and hopefully I can bring that to help me at Shrewsbury Town.”
Max’s last loan spell was with Solihull Moors in the National League where he played 23 times. He feels that experience has really helped him push on.
“That was a challenge as they were struggling when I went there, but to be playing in men’s football was a good challenge”, said Max.
“I think that helped my development massively and to get those 20 odd games were great experience for me.”
The next challenge for the Republic of Ireland international is a season in Sky Bet League One with Shrewsbury Town. It is a challenge he is looking forward to and one he feels he is up to.
“I think there will be bits of playing in the Championship and bits of playing in the National League that I can take from”, said Max.
“It will be interesting to see what it is like week in week out.
“I’ve watched a lot of League One football but to be playing in it is a whole different challenge and experience but one that I am looking forward to.”
Max now joins Joe Murphy as the first team keepers for Town and he is looking forward to challenging Joe for the starting place.
“It is good and any competition for places is healthy”, said Max.
“I’ve had that all through my time growing up and through all the age groups at Bristol City.
“Now it’s a good challenge with Joe and one that I will enjoy.”
Max will now join up with Joe and with Town goalkeeping coach Brian Jensen in Portugal for the warm weather training camp. He is looking forward to working with Brian and continuing his development as a promising goalkeeper.
“I spoke to Brian on the phone last night before I came up to Shrewsbury”, said Max.
“I met him today and he seems like a really nice guy.
“He likes to work hard, just like me so hopefully we will get on well and have a good year here.
“Bristol City wanted to me to come here and try and play as many games as I can and to play well.
“This experience and signing for Shrewsbury will give me that opportunity if I crack on and work hard.