Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town seal loan signing of Carlton Morris from Norwich

Shrewsbury Town have added to their forward options with the season-long loan signing of Norwich City frontman Carlton Morris.

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The 21-year-old becomes Paul Hurst's ninth new addition this summer and fourth loan player - joining Canaries club-mate Ebou Adams from Norwich.

Morris has previously spent time on-loan with Championship Rotherham and Scottish top flight outfit Hamilton Academical, as well as being a former England under-19 international.

Hurst believes Morris, who netted eight times for Hamilton in the 15/16 season before featuring for the Millers last term, has all the attributes to succeed as a striker and fits the mould of his Town group.

The boss said: "He's a centre-forward that we need within the squad to compliment what we've already got.

"He fits into what we've been talking about. A young hungry player that's had a couple of loan spells. I think he will see this as an opportunity to really kick on and get some goals in League One for us.

"He's mobile, strong, quick and has got a little bit of everything in truth. He's been on the radar for 18 months probably and I'm pleased to get him in."

Hurst added that Morris has all the tools to feature as a lone front man.

"He's powerful and has got all the attributes of what you want from a centre-forward. He's used to playing up front on his own. I think that's the hardest way to do it, you can then accommodate a partner, that takes work on the training ground if we go that way.

"With him and Lenny we have two lads more than comfortable playing up front alone if need be, that's not giving anything away - I'm still very open-minded about the way we can play.

"He's someone that can do really well for us."

With Adams already on loan with Town, Shrews were able to steal a march on the player who had courted interest from elsewhere.

"I think there was a lot of interest in him," he added. "Sometimes timing doesn't work for some people but does for others.

"Also he spoke to Ebou once he was here. Thankfully Ebou likes it and spoke well about the football club and ourselves. That helped get it over the line.

"He's come with plenty of time to get him involved and part of the squad. Everything I've heard about him as a lad as well is that he'll fit in and get on with everyone, a good character again."

Morris, who lists Oxford United, York City, Hamilton and Rotherham as his four previous loans, admitted that chewing the move over with Adams helped it to become a no-brainer.

Along with the encouragement from his parent club team-mate, the Cambridge-born forward was also keen to team up with Hurst, revealing that he brought into the boss's philosophy.

He said: "It's a point in my career where I need to get games and goals and kick on. This is a club having a real go this season and hopefully we can all be successful this season.

"The manager attracted me for a start and I've heard good things about the town and the area and the football club from colleagues at Norwich.

"When I first heard of the interest I had a word with Ebou and he was singing the praises of how it's started and he's settled in. It wasn't a hard decision

"I want to come here and play well. Make sure the gaffer's happy with me and that I can play well, get goals and as high up the table as possible."

Morris joins fellow newcomer Lenell John-Lewis as Town's out-and-out forward options. While AJ Leitch-Smith is still a Shrewsbury player.

Louis Dodds, Arthuer Gnahoua and Shaun Whalley are also options.

But Morris sees himself as someone who can get in behind defences and cause problems.

"I like to run in behind but I can also hold the ball up and link play. I always try and get in the box," he added.

"I've been around for sure! it's what you've got to do, part and parcel of the game is to move around and make a name for yourself, especially at my age to then kick on with your parent club but for now I'm focused on Shrewsbury.

"They said to go and show what you can do, make more of a name for yourself and go back to Norwich and push for a start there.

"Being at Norwich is how I've got such good loans. They're such a big club and clubs like Oxford, York and Hamilton look to take players from Norwich so I'm thankful, it's been a good base for me now I jave to show faith back in me.

"As a footballer you have to impress as many people as possible. I want to play well, score goals and make people happy."

Joining at this stage of pre-season allows Morris to feature in all six of Town's pre-season friendlies on English soil. The Norwich man believes this to be a boost.

"I did the same thing at Hamilton. You get settled and feel part of the club a lot more then going in January or joining later, it'll be a good foundation to build on.

"I've just got to work hard and look forward to early August where the games come thick and fast."