Shrewsbury Town’s new goalkeeper on lessons learned from a World Cup winner
The Aston Villa loanee says training with Emiliano Martinez has helped shape his development.
New Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Sam Proctor says learning from World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez has helped shape his game.
Proctor became Town’s eighth summer signing when he joined on a season-long loan from Aston Villa last week.
The teenager arrives after progressing through the ranks at the Premier League club to train regularly with the first team, where he has learned from one of the world’s best goalkeepers in two-time Yashin Trophy winner and Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Martinez.
“Having Emi Martinez, a World Cup and Copa America winner, he’s been quite the guy to learn from, and I don’t think you can get a better role model,” Proctor said.
“I learn from him every day. Just watching him has helped my development massively.
“There’s a lot of other players throughout the team who have helped me and put an arm around me when I’ve needed it. There are a lot of players who have been there and helped me along the way.”
The 19-year-old made his first appearance at the Croud Meadow in Tuesday night’s pre-season victory over Everton Under-21s. Although he had a relatively quiet second half, he was alert when called upon.
Proctor arrives having enjoyed plenty of success at Villa, helping the club’s under-18s complete a historic treble before stepping up to the under-21s and becoming involved with the first team. He was also named in matchday squads for UEFA Champions League fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain.
“My journey at Villa has been quite a lot, to be fair,” Proctor reflected.
“I’ve worked my way through the age groups into the under-21s and then with the first team last season.
“So I think that experience with the first team last year has helped me massively coming into senior football this year. I got a little taste of a bit last season. Now I feel like I am finally ready to indulge in some games.”
Proctor’s loan move to Shrewsbury provides him with his first taste of Football League football, where he will battle with Will Brook for the number one shirt.
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