Shrewsbury Town: Derby County's Rhys Sharpe agrees youth loan

Sharpe has been with Derby since he was a 14-year-old

League Two title contenders Shrewsbury Town have signed versatile Derby County academy graduate Rhys Sharpe on an initial one-month youth loan deal.

Sharpe, 20, can play at left-back, centre-back and in midfield and is a Northern Ireland under-21 international.

"I'm coming here to learn and I'm looking forward to the challenge, they play some nice football," said Sharpe.

"I'm looking forward to trying to contribute to the title challenge."

Nottingham-born Sharpe signed his first professional contract with the Rams in the summer of 2013 and will be at Greenhous Meadow until at least 14 April.

And he admits he may well have to be patient to get his chance with the in-form Shrews.

"I don't expect to be put straight into the team but I'd like to think I'm going to get some game time, and it's down to me to get my place.

"I'd have travelled to the other side of the country to get an opportunity like this."

Shrewsbury are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Burton and have a six-point cushion to the play-off places with 11 games remaining.