Joe Gbode reveals why Shrewsbury Town was ‘the place for me’
The forward spoke for the first time after completing his season-long loan move from Luton Town.
Joe Gbode declared Shrewsbury Town is “the place for me” after snubbing other options to complete his loan switch.
The 21-year-old striker has become Salop’s seventh signing of the summer, arriving on a season-long loan from Luton Town.
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Gbode, who has relocated to Shropshire ahead of the new campaign, admitted the backing of Town’s supporters and boss Gavin Cowan’s long-standing admiration made the decision an easy one.
“I had a couple of options, but I felt like this was the place for me,” said Gbode.
“I looked at the stadium, I looked at the fans - the fans have always been a big part of the club. They support the club throughout good times, bad times. They're always packing out the stadium.
“I spoke to the manager as well and he really, really convinced me to come. He's known about me for a couple of years and he knows my strengths and my game.
“He really wants to work with me to more importantly take this team to the next level. So that's why I came here.”
Gbode arrives with valuable EFL experience despite his young age. The forward graduated through Gillingham’s academy before making his first-team debut in 2021 and establishing himself in the senior side.
His breakthrough campaign came in 2023/24, when he scored three goals in 34 League Two appearances before adding another early the following season, earning a move to former Premier League side Luton Town.
The striker made five League One appearances for the Hatters before spending the second half of last season on loan at National League outfit Woking, where he scored three times.
Now Gbode will hope to carry that momentum into League Two as he looks to make his mark at the Croud Meadow and help Cowan’s new-look Shrewsbury side improve on last season’s 19th-place finish.
The forward also revealed Cowan had been trying to sign him for some time.
“He watched me, I think it was a couple of years back when I was at Gillingham and he tried to bring me in, but he couldn't at the time,” the 21-year-old added.
“He said he’s been waiting quite a while to get me in. When the opportunity came, he had to.”
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