Benning signs new two-year deal at Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town defender Mal Benning has signed a new two-year deal following an individually encouraging first season with the League One club.

“I had a bit of a slow start," said the 30-year-old left-back. "But I grew into it the more the season went on.

“I feel at home now, which is massive for me. I’ve just had a little one so it fits in with my family life, it’s not far from home."

The ex-Walsall, York City, Mansfield Town and Port Vale man is the first of the five out-of-contract players offered new deals to commit to the club.

Town head coach Paul Hurst called Benning's deal a "positive start to the close season".

"Just before I returned to the club, Mal really started to show what he is capable of," Hurst said., external

“He did really well with those performances helping him become a fan favourite.

"He can play at left-back and left wing-back which gives us flexibility. With him and George Nurse, we now have really good options on the left side of defence. That is us set in that area now.”