Shrewsbury Town look for a new striker

The 25-year-old striker, who has joined League Two side Crawley, became the fourth forward to leave since the end of last season, when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent yesterday.

Collins, whose deal had a year to run, has followed Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, Scott Vernon and loanee Kyle Vassell, plus 12-goal top scorer Sullay Kaikai, out of the Greenhous Meadow.

AJ Leitch-Smith and Louis Dodds have been signed, but Mellon is optimistic about landing at least one more forward.

He told the club's website: "James' departure means we're a bit light on numbers up front so we'll try to improve the group the best we can.

"There are some things we want to try to get done and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to do that shortly.

"The backing I've always got from the chairman has been great and we know what type of players we want."

Although backed to land a fresh chance by chief executive Brian Caldwell, Collins's future was in doubt.

He was pictured urinating in a glass at Cheltenham races in March and was fined two weeks' wages, estimated at around £6,000.

The player was on loan at Northampton at the time, having joined them in January, and he helped the Cobblers into League One as League Two champions.

He netted eight goals in 21 games there, after scoring seven times for Salop earlier in the campaign.

The former Swindon and Hibernian marksman ended his second spell with Town with 24 goals in 81 games, making it 48 goals in 154 in total, having initially joined from Aston Villa in 2011.

His 16 goals during the 2011-12 season were vital in helping Town gain promotion to the third tier.

Collins scored 17 times in his first season back with Town in 2014-15 to help Mellon's side win automatic promotion.

Mellon added: "I'd like to thank him for his efforts and contributions.

"He's done everything I've asked of him but, as things evolve, people move on. He goes with our absolute best wishes."