Shrewsbury Town are pleased to confirm Kian Taylor has signed a professional deal with the club.
Kian joined the Shrews under-18’s set-up following his release from Leicester City and has impressed during his time with the academy.
Academy Manager David Longwell has been pleased with Kian’s development and feels the midfielder deserves the deal.
“Kian has done very well since I came in,” said David. “I have only known the boys for a few months but he has been impressive.
“His attitude, work ethic and his performances have ben good. After going through the process with the first-team staff, they feel he deserves another year.
“He deserves it, he’s a really good kid. It’s now up to him to go away in the summer and take the opportunity when he comes back.
“Kian is a centre-midfielder but he is an all-round player. He’s decent defensively, he’s quite disciplined and he can also get forward.
“He’s left-footed, which gives him a different dimension. He has good technique, so he ticks a number of boxes in that midfield area.
“He’s someone who is very dependable and very reliable in games. The players also rate him highly.”
David is pleased for Kian but feels this isn’t the end of the road for the Town youngsters who haven’t been offered professional terms.
“It’s always difficult when players are given disappointing news,” said David. “They can use that and kick on somewhere else.
“Not every player can come through the scholarship programme and get a deal or get into the first-team.
“All of the boys are good players and they will go into other things. They will get opportunities elsewhere – wherever that may be.
“Who knows what can happen. They are all still young and have potential. They might go elsewhere and flourish.
“I wish them all the best of luck. Their attitude, their commitment and they way they conduct themselves has been excellent.
“They’re all in a good place to go somewhere else and use what they have learnt here.”
Kian joins Lifumpa Mwandwe from the scholar age group who have signed pro deals with Town. Unfortunately Jack Atkinson, Reece Corfield, Rhys Davies and Jack Leask have not been offered pro deals. Shrewsbury Town would like to thank the lads for their hard work and dedication during their time with the Academy and wish them well for the future.