Shropshire Star

Nathan Ogbeta setting Shrewsbury example

Nathanael Ogbeta has been encouraged to remain grounded by the Shrewsbury coaching staff after an eye-catching breakthrough campaign.

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The left wing-back, who only recently turned 20, has become one of the hottest prospects in the EFL with his stunning displays for Town since signing from Manchester City in January.

England under-20 international Ogbeta was unsurprisingly crowned Shrewsbury’s young player of the season last week and is hugely popular with team-mates and staff for his modest, cheerful persona.

And it is that personality trait that the youngster has been told to retain as he builds his experience in the game.

“I pulled him aside in training as we were going through set-plays and I said to him ‘don’t ever change who you are – you’re such a wonderful young man’,” said Town first-team David Longwell.

Humble

“What a credit to his family he must be, he’s such a professional, humble, modest personality and he’s done so well for us.

“He’s not changed an inch, he’s still the same kid that walked through the door and you’ve really got to credit him, first of all, and his family for how he’s been brought up.

“I said to him ‘don’t change’. He’s such a great example for everybody in here. He’s been fantastic, he’s always happy and always tries to do the right things.”

Ogbeta, who signed until 2022, was an ever-present in absent boss Steve Cotterill’s side, in which he played every minute until coming off as a late substitute in two of the final games of the season. The youngster didn’t meet the manager who brought him into senior football until May and admitted Cotterill was an inspirational character.

Shrewsbury have, however, moved quickly to cover the lack of depth in Ogbeta’s left-sided role. Cotterill’s first and only signing so far this summer is Luke Leahy, a free agent from Bristol Rovers, who plays in the same position.

Ogbeta admitted he had been fortunate to occupy a role with no natural competition, but it was an opportunity he seized with both hands. He has said on a couple of occasions he sees himself as a central midfielder in the long term.

Longwell added: “We just hope he continues what he’s been doing, he played (almost) every minute of every game and has just been a revelation for us.”

Scot Longwell revealed the Manchester-born 20-year-old, who is of African and Caribbean heritage, has a unique ‘infectious’ lust for life at Town and football.

“I’ve seen a lot of footballers over my time, not just at Shrewsbury but in general, great players but they don’t have the right mentality,” he added. “They are great players but don’t work hard to improve. But Nat came in as a breath of fresh air when he came through the door, because he’s young and he wants to do well. He’s quite infectious, I think, because of his personality. I don’t think there was many players like that.

“He’s never moody or moaning, we can be up or down, but he seems to be the same all the time, which is great.”