Shrewsbury Town have signed 23-year-old midfielder Tom Bayliss from Preston North End on a two-year deal with a one-year extension option.
Bayliss came through the ranks at Coventry City, alongside Jordan Shipley. Bayliss made 73 first-team appearances for the Sky Blues and scored nine goals along the way.
He then earned a move to Preston North End in 2019 and made 12 Championship appearances. He netted his maiden goal for the Lilywhites against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the 2020/21 season. He then went on loan to Wigan Athletic last season and made 16 appearances.
After winning Sky Bet League One with the Latics, Bayliss has joined Steve Cotterill's squad as they look to push on in the 2022/23 season.
Tom Bayliss on signing for Shrewsbury Town:
“I’m buzzing to get it over the line because it’s been in the pipework for a while. I spoke to the manager at length and all the staff – and I know some of the players here already – and we want to be ambitious and that’s what I want to be. I want to keep playing football and being part of a team that’s successful so I’m happy to be here.
“I know Shipperz [Jordan Shipley] from our time at Coventry – we came through the system together – so I know his game quite well and he knows me pretty well too. I know Marko [Marosi] because he was there [at Coventry] as well and I used to carpool with him and I’ve played against a few of the boys in my career as well and we’ve got a good group here so hopefully we can keep adding to that and have a successful season.
“The stadium is lovely, I was there at the end of last season with Wigan and I’ve played there a couple of times in my career. The training ground is lovely and I can’t wait to get out there and get going.
“I’m a box-to-box midfielder, I like to excite, I like to get on the ball, I like to run with the ball and hopefully score some goals and get some assists! I mostly just want to get fans on the edge of their seats and just get back to enjoying my football again."
