Shropshire Star

Callum Burton left Shrewsbury Town to stop his career from stalling

Former Shrewsbury prospect Callum Burton opted to join Championship Hull City to prevent his career from stagnating, the goalkeeper has revealed.

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The 21-year-old, from Newport, made the surprising switch to the Tigers' under-23 side this summer after the two clubs agreed a fee.

But it was a switch that the shot-stopper felt he had to make in order to progress after learning Town boss Paul Hurst was in the market for goalkeepers in his first summer with the club.

“In the summer I got told Shrewsbury were looking for other keepers and I didn’t want to keep my career standing still," Burton told the Hull Daily Mail.

“I wanted to play games where I can be seen and ultimately progress which I didn’t have the opportunity to do. So I was fortunate that I got invited up here, I impressed and they wanted to take me so that was good for me.

“I’ve never been up this area before and coming up it’s been a completely different environment. It’s been a great team to come into, the lads have been welcoming and all the staff can’t do enough for you so making that transition was easy for me. I’m looking forward to what the future brings.”

“Of course I want to impress Leonid Slutsky, every player does. I think it’s brilliant that all the first-team staff come down and watch because at previous clubs I’ve been at that’s not been the case."

Hurst sent academy graduate Burton, who joined Town as a 10-year-old, on-loan to neighbours AFC Telford United last season.

He had previously had loan spells at Nuneaton and Southport.

Hurst brought Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson in while also added former Walsall man Craig MacGillivray to his ranks.

Burton has been busy with Jon Beale's under-23 team at Hull, where he is first-choice, but admits he is actively looking to get out and prove himself as a senior goalkeeper in a competitive Football League environment.

He added:“I just want to play, that’s what I was lacking at Shrewsbury where unless you were out on loan it was a lack of matches so I’m grateful to get four games in four weeks, that’s more than I’m used to.

"It was about getting back on the pitch, getting a feel for the game and ultimately progressing.

“Obviously I want to look for a loan too. I want to get out in the Football League and play games.

“Everyone wants to do that and play in front of a crowd every week in games that ultimately matter. Obviously the under-23s matter, but where there are points on the line and promotion and relegation and that’s where I want to prove myself.”