Nathaniel Knight-Percival to leave Shrewsbury Town
Defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival is looking set leave Shrewsbury Town for one of their League One rivals.
In what will be seen as a big blow by fans, the hugely popular 29-year-old defender is poised to leave in the next 24 hours.
Known as 'Rolls Royce' for his immaculate performances, Knight-Percival captained Town in the second half of last season and has made 77 appearances for the club.
Chesterfield could be a destination for the experienced stopper after boss Danny Wilson claimed yesterday that a left-sided centre-back – Knight-Percival's position – is on his wish list.
Wilson said: "We're still looking for a left-sided centre-back. We need to have that natural left-sider in the club – that's going to be important to us. We've got some irons in the fire."
Southend boss Phil Brown has confirmed that he held talks with the defender but, with Brown on holiday, it appears Knight-Percival could be heading elsewhere.
Knight-Percival was one of six players offered new deals by Town at the end of the season, with their contracts due to expire today.
It's understood the player's agent asked Shrewsbury to see if the club would negotiate on the terms offered and was told that wouldn't be the case.
The centre-half didn't return with the rest of the squad when they reported back for the start of pre-season training last Thursday and hasn't been seen at the club since.
Now the former Peterborough defender is understood to have reached agreement with at least one other third-tier club.
Town have signed two central defenders this summer in Olly Lancashire from Rochdale and Port Vale's Ryan McGivern.
Academy graduate Callum Grogan has also been promoted from the reserve set-up. Knight-Percival will become the third senior experienced centre-back Town have lost since May.
Zak Whitbread and Jermaine Grandison were both released while another, Jack Hendry, returned to Wigan after his loan ended.
Of the two other players offered new deals who haven't signed, goalkeeper Mark Halstead is expected to sign new terms to stay at the Greenhous Meadow.
Midfielder James Wesolowski's future remains up in the air. The Australian has returned for pre-season and is hoping to win a new deal, but it appears that his offer is no longer on the table.
The Shropshire Star contacted Town regarding Knight-Percival, but the club was unable to provide a comment.
