Shrewsbury Town are delighted to confirm the signing of vastly experienced goalkeeper Joe Murphy on a one-year deal.
Joe was with Bury last season and played every game in their Sky Bet League Two promotion campaign.
The 37-year old keeper started his career with Tranmere Rovers before a move to the Premier League to join West Brom. His career has seen moves to Walsall, Sunderland, Scunthorpe United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield before joining Bury, amassing over 600 appearances in total.
Town manager Sam Ricketts has spoken about the need to bring in a couple of new keepers and Joe will add experience to that position.
"Keepers are a funny one," said Sam. "They can play for a lot longer than outfield players, normally the older they get the better they get.
"Joe had a fantastic season last year. His age is only a number. He played every second of every game for Bury who got promoted.
"He was regarded as one of the best keepers in the league. Joe will be one of two keepers who will come into the club and it will be a fight to get that number one shirt.
"What he brings is experience, know-how, his voice in training is excellent and you can only get that with experience. He's still agile and loads of desire to play and train hard so it's someone who will be a big player for us and a big player for us in the dressing room."
Brian Jenson was Joe's Goalkeeping Coach at Bury and Sam stated that factor proved vital in bringing him to the club.
"It was a big factor, Goalkeepers and Goalkeeping coaches build up bonds and Brian was very complimentary about Joe in every aspect.
"I've known about Joe for years and where he's been, I know he's a good player. You do character references on players and everyone had nothing but praise to say about him so in the end it's become an easy decision and something I'm delighted to have got over the line.
"We need competition for places, I spoke about it last year where I felt there wasn't enough competition for places. You have to feel if you're in the starting line up that you have to perform well to get into it because you've got someone breathing down your neck and that goes for all positions."