Joe Riley backed for Shrewsbury Town move

Kelly coached Riley when the 24-year-old was a youth team player at Bolton Wanderers.

He reckons the young full-back has plenty of exciting attributes that will endear him to the Salop crowd.

Kelly said: "It's a great signing. He's a very good attacking player, with great distribution.

"He's a good pro, who can strike a good ball. He's a footballing full-back who likes to bomb on, so I reckon Micky Mellon's got a good signing there.

"He did quite well at Bury, and the Shrewsbury Town fans will love him because he'll be up and down that wing."

Riley signed a two-year deal at Greenhous Meadow after joining Salop from Bury.

He's expected to slot straight into the first team as the only recognised senior full-back at the club.

Kelly said: "It's a fresh challenge for him and it will be a good one.

"He'll have to move away from home, it will be the first time for him, because he won't have had to move too far when he joined Bury.

"But I think he'll do well, he's a decent player and a good kid too."

Mellon was delighted to capture the full-back and he, too, reckons Riley has the potential to quickly stamp his mark as a fans' favourite.

He told the club's website: "Joe is a very attack-minded full-back and I believe he will come here and the fans will be very pleased with him.

"He has a good character and wants to improve. He is desperate to get better and move his career forward and make it a success.

"The more we can bring in with that mentality the better, because it can only be good for the football club."

Mellon had been keeping tabs on Riley for a while, and added: "As soon as I learned that he was going to be available ,I was determined we were going to do everything we could to bring him in.

"I am really excited about getting down and working with him. He is definitely the type of player that I believe we need to be able to move the team forward."