Shrewsbury have sealed a youth loan deal with central defender Michael Hector, who joins the League One club from Reading.
Hector, 20, who progressed through the youth system at Reading, has joined for an initial six-month period and could feature in Tuesday night's friendly with Birmingham at the Greenhous Meadow.
"There were a number of other clubs interested in taking him on loan, but the pleasing thing for me is that Reading wanted him to come us and Michael was more than happy to join," Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner told the club's official website.
"He played around 27 games for Barnet last season and did well in League Two. He can play in the centre of defence or in central midfield if needed.
"Reading think highly of him and think he has the potential to become a regular in their first team, so it will be good to have a player of his calibre in our squad."
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