Connor Goldson signs for Brighton

The 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal at the AMEX Arena after the clubs reached agreement on the transfer earlier today.

Goldson then travelled to the south coast for a medical, which he passed this evening before agreeing personal terms and finalising the move.

The Wolverhampton-born defender, who was Town's longest-serving player, made 120 appearances in total for the Shrews, scoring eight goals after making his debut in February 2011.

The homegrown centre-back enjoyed two promotions with Shrewsbury to League One - last season and in 2011-12.

Last season, Goldson was voted the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.

Town chief executive Matt Williams said: "I think the deal we've got is in the best interests of Shrewsbury Town and it helps the player to establish himself further up the ladder before we get there.

"From our point of view you always want the best possible deal for the club and I believe we have got that."

The move came after Goldson declared himself unfit for last night's 2-1 home defeat against Chesterfield, citing a hamstring injury.

"We weren't aware of Brighton's interest before the weekend, then Connor declared himself unfit and we would have wanted him available," said Williams.

"It was the player's decision to declare himself unfit."

Goldson, who joined Town at 14 after being rejected by Wolves, was offered his first professional contract with the club midway through his youth scholarship.

And Williams believes the player has got his reward after rejecting his agent's advice to stay at the Greenhous Meadow in 2014.

"It just shows if you're patient you will get your rewards," he said.

"It's a credit to the club that he came through the youth team here to cut his teeth in the professional game.

"He leaves with our best wishes and thanks and we move on."