Simpson finally gets his man

Experienced defender Graham Coughlan today became Paul Simpson's seventh summer signing after Shrewsbury agreed an undisclosed fee with Rotherham.

Coughlan, who has signed a two-year contract, was due to train with his new team-mates for the first time this morning after Simpson secured the signing of his long-term target.

The Town boss was ready to concede defeat in his quest of the 33-year-old a month ago.

But the deal was resurrected earlier this week when Simpson received positive feedback from League Two rivals Rotherham boss Mark Robins and the player himself.

"I'm absolutely delighted we have brought Graham in," said the Town chief."We hit a bit of a brick wall a few weeks ago but it's become a possibility again this week and I'm pleased that the chairman has allowed me to bring him in and that Graham has agreed to join us.

"He's an experienced defender and he has had a number of promotions before which I think is important to have in your squad.

"We have got good defensive options and I've said all along that you need a strength all the way through your squad if you want to sustain a good season."

Irishman Coughlan began his career with Bray Wanderers before moving to Blackburn.

He failed to make the breakthrough with the Premiership club and, after a brief spell at Livingston, moved to Plymouth where he made more than 200 appearances and helped the club to promotions from League Two to the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday was the defender's next port of call before Coughlan made the trip across Yorkshire to join Rotherham.

Coughlan's arrival means Simpson has brought in three central defenders - Michael Jackson and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff are the others - to join Kelvin Langmead.

Simpson's hopes of adding an imminent loan signing to the arrival of Coughlan, however, appear to be fading.

"That one looks like it is dead at this moment in time," added the Town boss.