Shrewsbury sell Ryan Woods to Brentford

The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Town, has penned a three-year deal at Griffin Park.

Boss Micky Mellon said: "When you have players like Ryan who are so good and who have done so well, I think they are obviously going to have a lot of interest from other clubs.

"It shows that with hard work from the staff and the hard work and right mindset from these young players they can massively improve and thrive.

"Unfortunately, at this time ,it will no longer be with us but we have to understand where we are in the food chain of football."

Woods made his first-team debut for Shrewsbury at home to Oldham Athletic at the end of the 2012-13 season, while still a first-year youth scholar.

Mellon now believes the next step is for the club to continue its development, adding: "Though we have sold some young players, I will majorly stress that it makes it no less ambitious.

"It's just that at this time the player's progress has moved quicker than the football club's.

"As long as the balance is right between the player's opportunity and what the club receives financially for them, then we have to accept if a player wants to go then there is not a lot you can do with it."

The Norton Canes-born midfielder made nearly 100 appearances for Town in league and cup.

Mellon added: "I have no doubt that Ryan will do fantastically well at Brentford, the same with Connor Goldson at Brighton.

"They have put in a lot of work both physically and mentally and they have improved.

"There is absolutely no doubt they have got themselves a great footballer in Ryan Woods.

"He's one who will continue to improve and the fans of Brentford are in for a real treat because they are getting a terrific, young, exciting player who makes you smile when he plays."