West Bromwich Albion: Cameron Gayle signs for Shrewsbury Town

Cameron Gayle first joined Shrewsbury Town on loan from West Bromwich Albion in November 2012

Former West Brom defender Cameron Gayle has joined Shrewsbury Town for the third time on a two-year contract.

The 21-year-old, who has twice been on loan at the Meadow over the last two seasons, has become Town boss Micky Mellon's 13th summer signing.

"Coming from such a good club as West Brom, he has been schooled in the right way," said ex-Albion midfielder Mellon, who was appointed in May.

"He's a terrific athlete and is the type of player we want at the club."

Birmingham-born Gayle, released by West Brom at the end of last season, made most of his 21 appearances at right-back during his loan spells at Shrewsbury.

Manager Mellon is now close to trebling the size of his squad having inherited just eight players when he took charge, and then losing Jon Taylor to Peterborough United.

His signings include ex-Sunderland and Stoke City winger Liam Lawrence, strikers James Collins and Scott Vernon from Hibernian and Aberdeen respectively, and goalkeepers Jayson Leutwiler and Mark Halstead, formerly with Middlesbrough and Blackpool.

A third forward, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, was signed earlier this month following his release by Tranmere Rovers and Mellon has also been linked with another striker, Ricardo Fuller, who is without a club.

Shrewsbury will start their first season back in League Two after a two-year absence at AFC Wimbledon on 9 August.

They then host two more of Mellon's old teams, Blackpool in the League Cup on 12 August, followed by Tranmere Rovers four days later.