Enzo Maresca
Shrewsbury have confirmed the signing of Leo Castledine on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The 19-year-old made his first-team debut for the Blues against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup in January and had been named in the squad for four Premier League fixtures last campaign. However, his five-minute cameo in the 6-0 win over Boro is his only senior appearance thus far. In a bid to gain regular game time, Castledine has now secured a season-long loan move to League One outfit Shrewsbury after beating significant competition to his signature. Speaking after making the switch to Shropshire,
Leo Castledine said “I’m really excited, it’s my first loan in the men’s game, but I am ready to get going. I just want to play.”
Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst said “We are really pleased because he’s one we’ve been looking at for a long time and initially we weren’t sure he’d be allowed to come out on loan. There was also word that he may end up in the Championship, so we’re delighted to get him in and had to be patient on this one. He’s a player we think can add a lot to this squad. He’s a mature character who plays with maturity, enthusiasm, and has quality. He’s got a lot of energy and works hard – it’s what I noticed when I first started watching him, what a good attitude he’s got. He can score goals and get assists but also without the ball he will work hard and hopefully win the ball back for us in good areas of the pitch. He is a part of the England youth teams as well, captained his Chelsea side too so I think that speaks volumes about his character and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Castledine is highly-rated at Cobham and starred for Chelsea Under 21s last season. The teenager scored an impressive 10 goals and added nine assists in 18 Premier League 2 appearances in 2023/24. He also made his debut for England Under 20s against Morocco in March.
