Paul Simpson today began contemplating Shrewsbury Town life after Grant Holt – believing the departing forward leaves the club with ‘cult status’ guaranteed.

What had become an inevitable move to League One Norwich was completed by Holt late yesterday afternoon when the 29-year-old signed a three-year-deal at Carrow Road.

No fee has been disclosed by either club, although it is understood it is around £500,000 – representing excellent business from Town who purchased the forward for £170,000 just 12 months ago.

And manager Simpson admitted it was the correct move for all parties.

“We have kept Grant for as long as we could and seen off as many enquiries and offers as we could,” said Simpson.”But Grant was fully aware of the interest from Norwich and wanted the chance to speak to them.”I spoke to Grant on Monday and he said it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.”He wants to play at the highest level he can and he’s gone to a club who will be hoping to be in the Championship this time next year.Higher“It got to the stage where Grant said he didn’t want to play another season in League Two and I hope everybody sees this for what it is.”It is a player who has the chance to play at a higher level and maybe an even higher level the season, and as a club doing the right deal for us.”Simpson was full of praise for the impact of Holt, who scored 28 goals in his sole season at the Prostar Stadium.”Grant has been superb and, when he signed, I don’t think anyone would have thought we would have got the goal return we have got,” he said.”He was a really strong character in the dressing room and I’m sure he will go away with some sort of cult status amongst Shrewsbury Town fans.”Simpson is now likely to receive backing for squad strengthening, and revealed that talks over potential replacements for Holt had already begun.But he refused to confirm or deny whether Shrewsbury Town were the un-named League Two club who are reported to have tabled a bid for Dagenham striker Paul Benson.

By James Garrison