Shropshire Star

Confirmed: Alex Gilliead leaves Shrewsbury Town to join Scunthorpe United

Winger Alex Gilliead has completed his move to Scunthorpe United from Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee.

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The 23-year-old joined Town from boyhood club Newcastle on a two-year deal last summer and scored three goals in 35 appearances last season, 23 as a starter. He has joined the Lincolnshire outfit on a two-year contract.

Former Bradford, Carlisle and Luton loan man Gilliead made just two league starts in 2019. His only league goal was the winner in a 1-0 victory over Accrington Stanley under John Askey in October.

But, with Shrews boss Sam Ricketts looking to utilise a system without wingers, Gilliead was allowed to move on and join former Town boss Paul Hurst at Glanford Park.

“It is an opportunity for Gilly to go to a club and play," Ricketts said.

“He came into here last season year and has played well in the games that I have used him in.

“The way we are going to play this season I cannot guarantee him games so we have taken the decision to let him go.

"He was eager to go to a club to try and get the chance to play every week and the club have accepted an offer for him."

Gilliead did not travel to Portugal with Shrewsbury.

Ricketts is a fan of the pacy attacker, but with wing-backs set to offer the wide threat for Town during the upcoming season Gilliead did not find himself in the manager’s first-team plans.

The boss has been trimming his Town squad this summer. He has signed seven new players but allowed those not in his plans to move on.

Gilliead becomes the 11th member of Ricketts’ first-team squad to depart Montgomery Waters Meadow this summer.

It is thought there will be a couple more players allowed to leave on a permanent basis as Ricketts puts his stamp on the Town squad.