Micky Mellon signs Mark Halstead for Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon has made his third signing of the week by snapping up former Blackpool goalkeeper Mark Halstead.
And the 23-year-old, who was released by the Seasiders at the end of last season, says he is determined to establish himself as Town's No.1 for the forthcoming campaign.
Halstead, a product of Blackpool's youth set-up, signed his first professional contract in 2009 but has seen his first-team appearances limited, leading to loan spells at Burscough, Hyde, Barrow, Kettering Town and Stockport County.
And he said: "It's down to me to change that now. I've come here to battle out for the No.1 shirt. Everyone knows the potential that I have got, but it's now down to me prove that I can do it.
"I need to put everything into the training sessions and into the games that I hopefully get to play."
Halstead has already graced the Premier League, making one appearance there for Blackpool in the 2010-2011 season, as well as one in the Carling Cup.
And he is keen to build significantly on such experiences in the coming months.
He said: "I had the chance to play in the Premier League and that was great experience as were the Championship campaigns, but my focus now is all about Shrewsbury Town and getting us back into League One."
Should Halstead make the most of his move he will become the latest in a line of fine goalkeepers to have played for the club in recent years, the most famous of which is England star Joe Hart.
And Halstead revealed that another former Town goalkeeper had advised him to sign.
Blackpool custodian Matt Gilks joined Town briefly in November 2008 on loan and Halstead said: "Matt was one of the people I first contacted when the possibility of the move came about.
"He was here on loan and when I met him he said it was a brilliant place to be and he loved every minute of his time while he was here."
"He was fully behind me making the move and together we decided that it is the best step for me now at this time in my career."
Halstead is one of three keepers signed up for next season along with England youth internationals Callum Burton and Harry Lewis following the release of Chris Weale and Joe Anyon.