Mark Halstead re-signs with Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town have announced Mark Halstead has signed a new contract with the club.
The 25-year-old, who played 19 games in all competitions last season, has penned a one-year deal at the Greenhous Meadow.
Halstead becomes the fourth pro keeper on the books after Jayson Leutwiler, Callum Burton and Shaun Rowley.
The announcement leaves only James Wesolowski of the players initially offered deals to still be without a club.
The former Blackpool reserve is now looking to being part of Micky Mellon's squad again.
He believes Town are in for a better season after last season's successful fight against relegation.
He told the club's website: "Although last season didn't go to plan, I think with the signings and the recruitment we've done this summer.
"I think we should be a lot more stable, so it's definitely a good place to be, at the minute.
"It took longer than I'd have liked, but it's sorted now before the season starts and that's the main thing and I'm ready to get going straight away."
Mellon admitted finances dictated Town needed to move players on, before Halstead's deal could be concluded.
The Town boss said: "It's been something we've been wanting to do all pre-season, but the club is a business and you can't roll these things out until you have the money for them.
"The opportunity has come for us to tie all that up and I'm delighted to get him in, because Mark is still a developing goalkeeper."
With his future undecided, Halstead didn't figure as much as he wanted in pre-season, but insists he will be ready if and when his chance comes.
He said: "I'd have liked a few more minutes, but circumstances dictated it wasn't to be and, if I'm needed, I'm more than ready to step in."
Halstead made 16 league appearances last season and is determined to recapture the No 1 spot from Leutwiler.
He insisted: "I want to make the No 1 spot my own. There's no bitterness between me and Jayson - it's a friendly rivalry but, ultimately, it's my career.
"I'm at the age now where I need to be playing games, so whether it's an injury, suspension, drop in form, I'm determined to take that chance and make the No 1 shirt my own."
Halstead revealed he had other options, but he believes he has made the right choice.
He said: "You have to weigh up the possibilities of what else is about, what's best for me and my family, my career, and with a day to go until the season, it wasn't a hard choice.
"I'm more than happy here and I'm looking forward to getting started again. Nobody's the finished article.
"I know my weaknesses and my strengths, it's up to me to turn my weaknesses into strengths and I'll keep working every single day."
