Freedom is everything for new Shrewsbury Town starlet Nathanael Ogbeta

The former Manchester City prodigy has quickly racked up 10 matches for his new club having made the bold decision to swap the Etihad for Shropshire in a permanent switch, writes Lewis Cox.

And the move is quickly reaping its rewards as Ogbeta, 19, grows himself a reputation as one of League One’s hottest young talents.

Ogbeta has not looked back since his debut against Peterborough at the end of January and admits he is ‘surprising himself’ every time he steps on to the pitch.

He has surely established himself as one of the first picks on Steve Cotterill and Aaron Wilbraham’s teamsheet and will receive another test of his credentials as Town head to promotion-hunting Charlton tomorrow.

Not that Ogbeta will become complacent. The youngster, a devout Christian who spends much of his spare time practising his religion, is soaking it all in and grateful to a higher power for his opportunity.

One word Ogbeta cannot get away from during his interview is ‘freedom’. A nippy left winger as a young child, Ogbeta reckons he was ‘pigeon-holed’, due to his left foot, into left-back or left wing-back at City.

He actually sees himself as a central midfielder, with shades of Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles going on loan to West Brom for game time in midfield, but reveals the ability to ‘express himself’ in attack, without fear of condemnation or punishment, is allowing him to thrive from left wing-back.

“I feel like I’m really developing as a player and person, it’s helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses,” said Ogbeta, who is from Salford in Manchester but is adjusting to life with his aunt and uncle in Shrewsbury.

“That is because I’m given the license to play free, and playing free is allowed me to express myself and find who I am as a player.

“I didn’t really get that at City, it was very structured, a lot of tactics about the way we have to play, but here it’s about freedom, I’m allowed to express myself going forward and show what I can do. I’m privileged to find my feet here.”

Ogbeta’s lust for playing football for Shrewsbury is something to behold. The talented England under-20 international added: “I’ve had some OK shots, some poor shots, just getting in those areas – it’s been six, seven, eight years since I was getting in those positions.

“To get in scoring positions and having shots on goal it’s what I dream about, I love attacking players.

“Even though I’m registered as a defender I love attacking players, getting shots, beating people one v one.

“It’s been my game but I never knew how much I enjoyed it until I’ve come here, having the freedom to do what I do, it’s made me so much more confident.”

“My body is really getting used to it, at first it was really tough but now I cannot wait for the next game. There’s always more I want to work on and give. The opportunity to play professional games is just a dream.”

It has been some transformation for Ogbeta – younger brother of multiple Great Britain triple jump champion Naomi. He is on a deal at Montgomery Waters Meadow until the end of next season, but Shrewsbury will surely already be looking into an extension after Ogbeta seamlessly filled to role vacated by Charlie Daniels – and then some.

He added: “At City, because there’s so many talented attackers, you just feed them the ball and there’s not much to do. I’d just stand back and sacrifice myself.

“Here, I was naïve in the first couple of games but now they just tell me to go, they aren’t going to get mad at me losing it for being positive.

“That freedom from the coaching staff has been amazing, it’s allowed myself to find me as a player. I’m surprising myself each and everything game by trying things, having the confidence to try things.”

Wilbraham, meanwhile, insisted that 17th-placed Town head to The Valley tomorrow with nothing to fear as they aim for back-to-back away wins.

Lee Bowyer’s side have endured a poor run of late but recorded a first home win in nine against Northampton on Tuesday.