Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town net Bristol City keeper Max O'Leary on loan

Shrewsbury Town have signed highly-rated Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary on a season-long loan.

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The 22-year-old enjoyed a fine breakthrough season with the Robins last term, where he made 16 appearances, including 15 in the Championship.

Town boss Sam Ricketts had previously brought in 37-year-old Joe Murphy and the experienced Irishman will compete with O'Leary – who was called up to the Ireland international squad in May – for the No.1 shirt this season.

Ricketts feels O'Leary is full of promise and capable of excelling in regular first-team football. The boss also acknowledged the shot-stopper's room for improvement.

“Max is a player that we identified a little while ago as having potential," Ricketts told the club's website.

“He finished the season strongly playing over 10 games in the Championship as Bristol City were still pushing for the play-offs.

“He is a player of real good stature and promise and someone that we are delighted to get in.

“He is a young keeper who is improving all the time and stepping up each time, and that was shown at the end of last season.

“He played very well in those games, at some really big grounds and against some really good teams.

“We know there is still room to improve him so we are delighted to have him on board.”

Ricketts revealed the signings of Murphy and O'Leary will conclude Town's goalkeeper business for the summer. It appears Reice Charles-Cook, who was offered a deal, will move on, while academy graduate Cameron Gregory will go on a development loan.

All will train under new goalkeeper coach Brian Jensen at Sundorne Castle.

Other keepers who have been on trial at Shrewsbury over the summer will not remain at the club, barring one who acts as an extra body should it be required in training.