Luton Town have allowed Joe Gbode to head back out on loan, with League Two side Shrewsbury Town set to benefit from the decision.
The young winger spent a half-season on loan at Woking, playing 15 times in the fifth tier during a positive end to the season with the Cardinals, with an eventual 10th-place finish under the watch of Jermain Defoe.
Gbode Makes League Two Return
Now, according to the Shropshire Star, Gbode is set to become the newest face to move to Shrewsbury Town as they look to continue their upward trajectory under Gavin Cowan.
Salop have already made six signings this summer in order to strengthen their ranks, including moves for Birmingham City’s Byron Pendleton on a two-year deal and Arkell Jude-Boyd following his release from Cheltenham Town.
He is set to return back to League Two just a year after his last appearance in the division, having been poached from Gillingham in order to move to Kenilworth Road.
Playing just eight times for Jack Wilshere’s team, he was allowed to head out on loan to Woking after Town managed to secure the services of Emilio Lawrence from Manchester City early in the January window.
Is Gbode A Good Deal?
For Luton Town, given the emergence of Jake Richards as a regular first-team option and growing optimism they might be able to secure a second loan for Emilio Lawrence, allowing Joe Gbode to head back out on loan is a great move.
The 21-year-old is not quite at the level to contribute regularly for the Hatters, and having seen immense progress during his time at Woking, allowing him to step up to a League Two side is a strong sign of his progress as a player.
However, whether Shrewsbury Town is the right destination remains to be seen, especially if Gavin Cowan sticks with his current plans.
While a Gbode signing will allow Tom Sang to stick in his more familiar central midfield role, game time may be hard to come by for the former Gillingham man, who will be up against Ismael Kabia to play in a wing-back role.
Having not played in that deep of a role before, he may take some time to adapt in a more defensive position, which may see Kabia be the favoured option in his plans for the opening stages of the season at least.
