Omar Beckles delighted to seal Shrewsbury Town move

The 25-year-old centre-back became signing number 14 this summer after joining on an undisclosed fee and penning a three-year deal.

The six foot three ins London-born defender came through the non-league ranks after being released by Millwall but finally reached the Football League last summer after moving from Aldershot to Accrington Stanley.

He caught the eye for Stanley, playing 48 in all competitions and helping the club to finish 13th, just five points short of the play-offs.

"I'm happy to finally get the deal over the line and ready to start the season," said Beckles.

"It's the politics behind football, you just want to get going and playing.

"It was just before the season started I found out. You just try and be as professional as possible but obviously it's a bit unsettling because I want to play as high as I can.

"When the opportunity came I definitely didn't want to turn down playing at a higher level so I'm happy to be here.

"I'd like to say I'm a ball-playing centre-half that's capable of doing both sides of the game."

Beckles, who played for Kettering, Boreham Wood and AFC Hornchurch among other during his semi-pro education, has featured twice for Stanley this season, including Saturday, and scored on the opening day for his side, who have won two from two games.

He added: "After Millwall I went to Spain for a year and a half in Glenn Hoddle's academy. It was a good experience, technically it did me wonders.

"Then I did the non-league rounds, learned my trade a bit more of a defender in being no-nonsense, now I've made the step up I can do the defensive side as you need to.

"It's not the fairytale that you get as a kid to be playing the way you want to be playing.