Shrewsbury Town youngster Jeval Thompson-McKenzie seals non-league loan move

Shrewsbury Town youngster Jeval Thompson-McKenzie has completed a loan move to non-league side Redditch United.

Town boss Gavin Cowan said towards the end of pre-season that Thompson-McKenzie had been ‘earmarked’ for a temporary move to gain valuable senior experience after featuring regularly during preparations for the new campaign.

Cowan confirmed during Friday’s press conference that Town had since held discussions with several clubs, with a work experience loan to Redditch now confirmed for the 18-year-old.

“The young forward moves to the Valley Stadium side on a work experience loan that will run until January 30,” a club statement read.

“The move will provide Thompson-McKenzie with the opportunity to gain valuable first-team experience.

“Everyone at Shrewsbury Town wishes Jeval the very best during his time with Redditch.”

The move represents a second loan spell for Thompson-McKenzie, who spent the closing weeks of last season with Stourbridge in the Southern Central Premier.

The teenager signed a third-year scholarship with Salop this summer and was a regular throughout the club’s pre-season campaign.

However, he has been involved with the first team just once since the new season began, when he was an unused substitute for Shrewsbury’s EFL Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town.

Thompson-McKenzie caught Cowan’s eye with a series of impressive displays in the forward areas during pre-season, earning praise from the Town boss.

The academy product was also a key member of Shrewsbury’s under-18 side last season as they completed a historic league double, winning both the EFL Youth Alliance North West and North divisions.