A HEREFORD teenager has joined Shrewsbury Town on a two-year scholarship.

Rhys Davies, who is the son of former Hereford United player Gareth Davies, has signed up with the League One club after spending seven years at Edgar Street.

"Rhys has just left school and he has gone straight into a two-year scholarship and he's really enjoying training morning and afternoon every day of the week," said Gareth Davies.

"It's very different from when I was a YTS boy cleaning boots and painting stands.

"It's about developing the player and they have to do a lot of analytical work.

"He's quite a late developer, but in the last three months he has grown and is getting quicker and stronger, but he lives and breathes it.

"If he does well, then if you're good enough, you're young enough.

"Luckily being a left-footer, the opportunities will come more quicker.

"But I've told him to take little steps, work hard and be the best you can and see what happens."

The 16-year-old was offered a two-year contract Cardiff a couple of years ago, but his dad said he ended up not enjoying his football.

"It's so intense at that young age, so last season there were a few clubs interested in him and eventually Shrewsbury came up with an option," he said.

"It's a great club similar to Hereford.

"The first team are at a good League One standard, but there's an opportunities because there aren't big squads and they're not a huge, wealthy club.

"I thought it was a great opportunity once he was offered a two-year scholarship."