Shropshire Star

Paul Hurst believes new Shrewsbury Town signing Jon Nolan can progress

Paul HURST believes latest Shrewsbury addition Jon Nolan has all the ingredients to continue his rise up the Football League ladder.

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The central midfielder checked into Greenhous Meadow on a three-year deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed yesterday.

The 25-year-old play-maker joins from Chesterfield after they suffered relegation from League One last season.

Nolan, rated highly by Town boss Hurst, joins the Shrews chief for a second time after featuring under him at Grimsby Town.

The Huyton-born schemer began his professional career with Stockport County, where he originally caught Hurst’s eye, before moves to Lincoln, Grimsby and Chesterfield.

“I believe he’s good enough to play in League One and even higher,” said Hurst of the former Everton schoolboy who has signed with Town until 2020.

“We want him not to just be satisfied with joining us. We want him to go on as high as possible, but hopefully with ourselves.

“He’s got all the attributes to do that and he enjoyed working with myself and Chris Doig (assistant manager).

“It’s nice to have that relationship again because it’s going to be a new squad, but at least we’ve got lads that’ll know exactly how we work so it gives us a starting point.”

Nolan, who describes himself primarily as a central midfielder, netted four times in 18 games for Hurst’s Grimsby as they sealed promotion to League Two in 2016.

He caught the eye in his debut League One campaign, despite the Spireites struggling, and the ginger-haired star is looking forward to showing Town fans what he can do.

“It’s a bit difference to the Conference, the standard is a lot higher but I feel comfortable in League One and I want to show the fans what I can do this season,” said Nolan.

“It was a tough, tough year. For me personally it was fits and starts, little niggles and red cards, it didn’t seem to get going.

“Hopefully I can stay injury free this season and get a good one.”

Nolan joins Arthur Gnahoua and Lenell John-Lewis through the door this summer and insisted teaming-up with Hurst and No.2 Chris Doig again was a key factor.

He added: “Hopefully working with them again I can add more goals to my game.

“There was nothing but good things with them, it was probably the best time of my career.”