Shrewsbury Town are delighted to announce the signing of 18-year-old Michael Parker after a successful trial with us towards the end of last season.
Standing at 6’4, the left-footed defender chose to join Town amid interest from a host of clubs including Rangers, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.
From London but formerly of Huddersfield Town, Michael played with our under-18s and trained with the first team for the final weeks of the 2022/23 season.
He vastly impressed all first-team and academy staff with his understanding of the game, pace and ability to play in a variety of positions in defence.
SPEAKING SHORTLY AFTER SIGNING HIS CONTRACT, MICHAEL SAID:
“I'm very very happy. As soon as I came in I was welcomed a lot by all the players and staff. After my first training session, I had a good feeling about the place as well so I'm delighted to get it over the line.
"I started my trial with the 18s for a couple of sessions and then David Longwell said he was impressed and I then went to train with the first team.
"Fortunately, I impressed them there."
On himself as a player:
"I would describe myself as a ball-playing centre-back. I'm very athletic, fast, quick, strong and I like to get on the ball and play.
"I also don't like to get beaten in a 1v1 challenge!
"I can play anywhere on the left too. I'm quite athletic so it helps with getting up and down the line, putting in crosses and also defending.
On his discussions with David Longwell:
"We discussed my pathway to the first team. He told me that if I impressed I'd be guaranteed a chance and I have a lot of faith in myself.
"And with the track record Shrewsbury have with young players and graduating academy players to play in the first team, that was really pleasing for me.
"Like any footballer, I just want to get as much first-team football under my belt as possible."
SPEAKING ON THE SIGNING, ACADEMY DIRECTOR DAVID LONGWELL SAID:
“Firstly, I want to thank Michael’s agent, Richard, and his dad, Samuel, because they were both brilliant to deal with while we got this deal over the line.
“This is a fantastic signing for us and thanks to the quick work of Gary Wharton (head of academy recruitment), we got in touch with Michael and brought him to Shrewsbury early on.
“He trained with the first team and we were all really impressed with him so we’re delighted he’s signed on for next season!
“He’s quick, left-footed; he’s a big lad at 6’4 and he can play as a left-back, centre-back or left wing-back.”
