Michael Appleton has secured his first signing of 2026 for League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town by confirming the arrival of a 19-year-old striker from Premier League side Brentford.
The struggling League Two side has been in a bad run of form, losing their last three games over the Christmas period. This has seen them drop to 21st in the league, only two points above Newport County, who are currently occupying the final spot in the relegation zone.
The 1-0 defeat to David Artell’s Grimsby Town was the 20th since the former Lincoln City man took charge of Salop in March 2025. With just eight wins and nine draws, the club needs to turn around its form to see off the very real threat of relegation to the National League.
One of the major issues that the side has been facing is the severe lack of goal threat. Shrewsbury Town are currently the joint third lowest scorers behind only Bristol Rovers and Harrogate Town.
The other end of the pitch hasn’t been much better with a league high 44 goals conceded, which gives them the worst goal difference (-26) in the division, seven worse than the second worst (-19) currently recorded by 24th placed Harrogate Town.
Shrewsbury Town Add Much Needed Attacking Option
To combat this startling statistic, Michael Appleton has added more firepower to his frontline in the form of 19-year-old striker Iwan Morgan on loan from Premier League Brentford.
Whilst the youngster may not have much senior experience, he is prolific in the club’s B Team, scoring 25 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions. The timing of the deal and the fixture against Bristol Rovers means that he will be unavailable for today’s fixture, but should be ready for Salford City in a few days’ time.
The Welshman has featured regularly for the youth national teams, having scored an impressive 10 goals in eight games for the Under-17 side.
Can Shrewsbury Town Fight off Back-to-Back Relegation?
It is safe to say that the Appleton-Salop spell has not gone to plan. He was brought in at the end of last season in a largely futile attempt to save them from relegation from League One, only to fail without much of a challenge.
With the former Portsmouth and Blackpool manager utilising a very particular tactical style which needs players with high technical ability to keep possession, it was felt that with a summer transfer window and pre-season behind him that results may turn. However, no improvement has been forthcoming. Now, unless things drastically change, the club are facing the very real possibility of non-league football next season. Their only saving grace has been the abysmal form of Bristol Rovers, Harrogate Town, and Newport County, who all seem determined to outdo each other in striving for relegation.
Whether a 19-year-old can drop into a struggling League Two side and change their fortunes around or not is a big ask. Especially with a lack of senior footballing experience. It is clear he has talent, but what faces Shrewsbury Town over the next few months is a battle, a tough, sometimes physical battle for survival.
