Shrewsbury Town sign midfielder Josh Laurent

The 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal at Montgomery Waters Meadow after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Laurent spent much of last season on-loan at Bury, making 22 appearances and scoring one goal.

The former Wycombe and QPR man had been tracked through the summer by Town boss John Askey.

Laurent said: “It’s been going on for a while now, about two months maybe, but I’m just happy to get it done.

"The biggest thing for me joining the club is that the gaffer and the club have shown how much they want me and when you are wanted it makes you want to come here, work extra hard and give back the faith and the trust that’s been given to you.

"Obviously last season was a very successful season, so straight away that attracts you, but he (John Askey) just said that I need to play football and if I come here and work hard, earn your place, then you are going to play, which is a big thing for me."

“I haven’t played a full season where you play all 40 games, so I’m looking forward to hopefully playing as many games as I can.”

Boss Askey added: “I’m really pleased. We kept saying that we’d have to be patient and obviously with Josh that has been the case. It’s been on and off, and finally now he’s signed.

“With the players that went in the summer it was important that we got somebody in with athleticism and that’s what Josh brings to us, but he can play as well.

“He will give us that energy in midfield that we need and hopefully he’s somebody that will push on and help Shrewsbury to be where they want to be.”