Murray and Hindmarch join Shrews

Manager Paul Simpson has taken the wraps off his first permanent Shrewsbury Town signings - and insists more will follow.

Midfielder Paul Murray, 31, has agreed a two-year-deal, while rookie attacking midfielder Stephen Hindmarch has also checked in to Oteley Road after completing his YTS at Carlisle.

Simpson is hoping to add further fresh blood in the coming weeks.

"I definitely hope to bring other players in and there are a lot of talks going on at the moment," said the Town boss.

"These are the first two players I wanted to bring in and now we can move on.

"Hopefully there will be some more news next week."

Murray has had two spells at Carlisle, sandwiched between stints with QPR, where he attracted a reported fee of £300,000, Southampton, Oldham and Portuguese side Beira Mar.

He spent this season at troubled Scottish Premier League side Gretna before his contract expired.

Hindmarch, 18, has made 10 substitute appearances for Carlisle after joining his home-town club on YTS forms at the age of 14. The move to Shrewsbury on a 12-month deal represents his first professional contract.

"They are two different type of players," admitted Simpson. "Paul is an excellent player and had a really good season in difficult times for his club.

"He is exactly the type of character we are looking for. He has got experience, he's a leader and the type to dig you out of a situation if things aren't going well.

"There were clubs from a higher level after him and when I first spoke to him, he said he didn't want to drop any lower than League One.

"But he saw the ground and wants to help us achieve what everybody wants.

"Stephen is a fantastic talent with good pace and good ability. I've known him since he was 14 and know what he's capable of.

"He now has to go and prove - to himself, not to anyone else - that he has the mentality and temperament to be a professional footballer.

"It's a big move for him because he's moving away from his family for the first time. There are things to improve on and he's already had a couple of ear-bashings from me."

Midfielder Asa Hall is expected to complete his permanent move from Birmingham next week.

By James Garrison