Norwich's Ben Godfrey seals loan move to Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury Town have completed their third Norwich City loan signing of the summer.
Ben Godfrey, a 19-year-old midfielder, has been on boss Paul Hurst’s radar after impressing for the Championship club throughout pre-season.
Signed from York City in 2014, Godfrey has caught the eye at Carrow Road and made 10 first-team appearances last season, scoring on his debut in the EFL Cup against Coventry City.
“I’m really pleased to be here,” said a delighted Godfrey.
“It’s a good opportunity for me. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the lads and the club, so I can’t wait to get started.
“I know that the manager is a great guy and he is going to help me develop, so once I knew they were interested in a loan for me it was an easy decision."
Arriving as a central midfield player, he has turned into something of a versatile talent for Norwich, also featuring as a centre-half and right-back for the first-team and under-23s.
“A lot of players can disappear in the 23’s system, so for me to come out here, prove myself and try and make a name for myself, it’s a good opportunity," said the youngster.
“We’ve obviously got off to a really good start.
“The boys appear to be enjoying their football and doing the right things, so hopefully I can come and be a part of it."
Godfrey's loan signature is the sixth loan deal Salop have completed this season and their 14th in total.
“I like to get about the pitch, break up play and get on the ball as well. I can play at centre-back or right-back as well, so I’m quite versatile,"he said.
“There’s always competition in football and we enjoy it.
"It makes you train harder and when you come to the pitch on game day you have to play well because you’re not guaranteed your spot when there’s competition.”
Meanwhile, Hurst made defender Omar Beckles his 14th new addition of the summer on Tuesday, adding that the former Accrington man may ‘possibly’ be his final signing of the transfer window.
But it seems likely the highly-rated Godfrey, who was given a new four-year Norwich deal earlier this month, will take the total to 15.
He stands to be the sixth loan signing of the summer, joining club-mates Carlton Morris and Ebou Adams from Norwich, Dean Henderson from Manchester United, Niall Ennis from Wolves and Dan James from Swansea City.
Winger James, who arrived with a growing reputation, has not yet tasted any competitive first-team minutes.
Hurst had previously admitted this summer he was keen not to bring in more than five loan signings, as EFL rules state no more than five can feature in a match day squad.
Meanwhile, the Town boss has backed last year’s top goalscorer Louis Dodds not to dwell on his missed chances against Rochdale last time out, where Town emerged 3-2 winners.
“Doddsy will be disappointed he didn’t get one, he had the other one clean through but seemed to slip and not get a clean connection,” added Town’s chief.
“Other than that He’s scored goals throughout his career so we know goals are there.”
