'Starstruck' - Shrewsbury Town signing Joe Gbode on working with Jermain Defoe

Joe Gbode arrives at Shrewsbury Town looking to kick on after an enjoyable spell working under a Premier League legend.

During the second half of last season, while on loan at Woking, the 21-year-old played under former Spurs and England striker Jermain Defoe.

Defoe was appointed to his first permanent managerial role in March and led Woking to a 10th-place finish in the National League.

Working under the former England international was an experience Gbode relished.

He said: “I enjoyed my time there a lot. The boys were fantastic at Woking. I made a lot of good friends there.

“A very good group of players as well. I've got a lot of love for Woking.

“I enjoyed every single minute of my time there, especially working with Jermain Defoe as well.

“I was a bit starstruck at first, but it was amazing to work with him. He’s still got it as well.”

Gbode arrives at Shrewsbury from League One side Luton Town, who signed him from Gillingham for a reported £300,000 last year.

Reflecting on his move to the Hatters, he added: “It was just a thing where in your career as a player you've got to take opportunities that come because you never know what's ahead.

“I felt that at the time Luton was the best place for me to develop, especially with the manager at the time who was very keen on bringing me in.

“The size of the club, the structure of the club, it was really good to feel wanted by a club like that.”