Shrewsbury Town sign defender Olly Lancashire

The 27-year-old centre back has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third year after rejecting a contract to remain at Spotland.

Lancashire, who the Shropshire Star reported the club had targeted yesterday, fits the profile boss Micky Mellon said he was after with the majority of his 192 League games coming in League One, 93 of them for Dale and 49 at Walsall after starting his career at Southampton, where he appeared 13 times.

"With bringing Olly in, I think people will see what I mean when I talked at the end of the season of the profile of the lads we wanted to bring in," said Mellon.

"We want lads who have played a lot of games in League One and are at a good age like Olly is.

"He's massively ambitious and will be get on the grass every day and train.

"We had a problem this season when we couldn't get everyone on the pitch for different reasons but the recruitment will try to get people who can do that.

"If possible we want a young group full of ambition that can train every day so we can work with them and Olly fits that profile.

"He's played loads of games in League One and has been a very good player so I'm delighted to make him the first signing of the summer."

Town needed to reinforce their defence after releasing centre backs Jermaine Grandison and Zak Whitbread earlier today, while Jack Hendry has returned to Wigan after his loan.

Lancashire revealed he rejected a new deal at Rochdale because he wanted a new challenge after three years at Spotland.

"Rochdale offered me a new contract but I just felt that in the last few months I wanted something to excite me and a new challenge, and this is, so I'm looking forward to it," said the defender.

"I spoke to the gaffer and it's a place I'm really looking forward to coming to and getting started.

"I'm really excited about what the manager is trying to do here and I'm sure there will be a few more faces coming in and hopefully we can start the season well and take it from there."

Lancashire featured 36 times for Rochdale last season, scoring twice, and was handed the captain's armband early in the campaign.

"I'm a centre half so I enjoy defending and keeping clean sheets but I also feel I can play football as well and when needed I can pass the ball," said Lancashire.

"I think I fit how the manager will want to play and that's another reason why I came here.

"Looking out on the pitch, it's one you want to play football on and it's going to be a good season."

Mellon claims his other targets also fit a similar profile in being 'game-ready' for League One.

"We're working hard to bring that type of player to the club," he said.

"All of the players we're trying to bring in will also fit that profile."