Shrewsbury Town land Aston Villa youngster on loan

Shrewsbury Town have confirmed the loan signing of Aston Villa full-back Lino Sousa.

The 21-year-old becomes Town’s second signing of the day, following Kian McMahon-Brown through the door at Croud Meadow.

Sousa has joined on a season-long loan from Villa, who he joined from Arsenal in 2024. The wide defender has since enjoyed several loan spells across the EFL, including in the Championship.

Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan said: “Lino is a young man with huge potential.

“He has had a couple of loans and - like Kian McMahon-Brown - he is a player who is very highly thought of at his parent club.

“We want to give him that platform that will really allow him to kick on.

“He can play both sides, at left wing-back and on the right.

“He gives us a really nice balance and adds to that competition for places.”

Sousa becomes Salop’s 11th signing of the summer transfer window, with Town continuing to strengthen their squad ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Born in Lisbon, Sousa moved to England aged eight and joined West Brom’s academy. He then joined Arsenal in 2022 before making the switch to Aston Villa two years later.

Since then, he has had loan spells with Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers and, most recently, Rotherham United.

Sousa made eight Championship appearances for Plymouth during the 2023/24 season before making a further 25 league appearances for Bristol Rovers in League One.

The left-back has also represented England at youth level, earning international caps from under-15 through to under-19 level.